Gifts for for first responders

Under Gov. Gavin Newsom's Stay at Home order, the community has been urged to refrain from going out unless it is necessary to pick up essentials and other tasks that make it necessary to leave your home.

This order does not deter those individuals who are out to break the law. There is no self-quarantining for them. This makes it even more important to have law enforcement and other first responders at the ready for individuals and businesses who are victimized during this time.

There also is still a need for emergency personnel ready to respond to calls of accidents, crimes, and other emergency situations. Shafter's Police Department, the Kern County Fire Department's station and ambulance personnel are being thanked for this dedication with a string of lunches provided by members of the community.

Rob Miller, along with Vincent Martinez of North Kern News, and several sponsors in the community have been providing lunches for the city's First Responders since last week.

On Friday afternoon, Miller and Martinez delivered a tri-tip lunch to the law enforcement offices in Shafter, as well as the Kern County Sheriff's Office in Wasco to show their appreciation for their service to the community. The program is called, "Shafter and Wasco Care for our Heroes."

"I was thinking how important our first responders are in town and how they are risking their well-being every day, especially facing this virus situation, that I decided that it would be nice to let them know how important they are to us," Miller said.

The main sponsors for the program are North Kern News, MV Autoworks and God, Guns and Family. These sponsors are joined by different daily sponsors such as Supervisor David Couch, Dr. Komin Medical Group, Tin Cup, Tinajero AG, Inc., Dan Waterhouse, RMT Contracting, Supreme Almonds, Carrington Shafter, Phil and Sue Portwood, Vincent Luna, Community Circle Church and Lorena Ayon, Apple Market and Wasco Booster BBQ Club.

Tin Cup is the sponsor for the event on Wednesday, April 22, with different sponsors in line for the rest of the next two weeks. They are doing the deliveries three days a week, with each day having a different sponsor. Miller said, "We are still looking for more sponsors to help with future dates. Anyone who is interested can get involved in this cause."

The meals were appreciated by those first responders, who were touched by the gesture. "Thank you guys so much. This is great," said Dave Wong of the Kern County Fire Department.

The Shafter Police Department received 25 meals, and Officers Dennis York and Dave Hocivar said, "With the day crew and the overnight crew, this will be plenty of food. Thank you for this."

If you are interested in getting involved in this cause, Miller can be contacted at 661-910-1668.