NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Lions Club presented $25 gift cards to all police, firefighters, and dispatchers in Northampton at Union Station on Friday morning in recognition of their service during the pandemic.
Lions members greeted police and firefighters to reflect on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks before commemorating them with a photo and awarding them with gift cards from the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce.
John Rhoades, a 40-year member and three-time past president of the Lions, said the club bought the cards at the beginning of summer and that the original intent was to honor officers for their service during the pandemic. Unlike many others, “they didn’t have the luxury to work from home,” he said.
Due to a delay, it became appropriate to tie the event to 9/11 and dually honor police and firefighters for their service during COVID-19 and their response to crises.
Gary Galvagni, a Lions member for over 20 years, said “it’s nice to appreciate emergency services before you need them.” As a Vietnam veteran and former firefighter in Hatfield, Galvagni’s words carry the personal experience of a first responder.
“This is the first time we’ve done anything like this,” said Rhoades. Meghan McCormick, current president of the Northampton Lions Club, said she’s sure the organization will host more events like this in the future. She mentioned that the group still plans on making its annual donation to the Gazette’s Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund around the holidays.
Northampton Police Chief Jody Kasper, Fire Chief Jon Davine, among other officers, were present at the event. “Thank you all so much for keeping us in mind,” Kasper said.
Rhoades stressed that people too often take police and firefighters for granted, stressing that “they put their lives on the line every day.”