SUSSEX COUNTY, DE — On this Thanksgiving morning at The Millsboro Fire Company, volunteers gathered for the 6th Annual Blessings for Badges, a Delmarva tradition living up to its name. The event involves volunteers making, packaging, and delivering donated food to first responders who are on duty during Thanksgiving.
While many spend the holiday surrounded by friends, family, and food, many first responders often don't have the luxury. It's why volunteers at Blessings for Badges dedicated their morning to giving back to those who serve.
Sharon Taylor and Joe Baumann cooked up hot meals, including chicken, mac and cheese, stuffing, and gravy. They say that it's their way of saying thank you to the officers who do so much for the community.
"We’re here to support them. They do a lot for the community; they’re selfless, they don’t have a lot of support in some cases, and in this way, it’s our way of saying thank you," said Baumann.
The freshly cooked food is packaged and sent out for delivery to police departments, fire departments, and medics across Sussex County.
Billy Bant, a deliverer who served 25 years at Bethany Beach, Delaware State Police, and is now Chief at the Gumboro Fire Department, emphasized the importance of sharing a meal on Thanksgiving.
"Many years I have missed holidays. I’m recently retired, but I know what it’s like. It’s important to remember those guys and girls that are out there working for us," said Bant.
Blessings for Badges Sussex County, in its 6th year, was hosted at the Millsboro Fire Company. Two years ago, it expanded into Kent County, also hosting an event at Leipsic Fire Company this morning.