Mike Zamecnik shared that he heard about a shortage of gloves in Portage County from the Ravenna Township Fire Chief and thought, “Let’s see if we can get some for our family.” He and his wife, June, have family members working at fire departments in Ravenna Township, Hiram, Mantua, and Stow, as well as at the Aurora and Mantua Police Departments.
Zamecnik, who runs a local computer business, was able to locate a supply of rubber gloves online and mentioned his plans to friends Graham Harmon and John Clark. They and their wives wanted to help, as well. So they pooled their resources — around $400 — to purchase 80 pounds of quality exam gloves. They divided those 8,400 pairs of gloves among the local communities’ first responders: the Hiram Fire Department, Garrettsville Community EMS, Ravenna Township First, MSFD and Mantua Police Department.
“It’s a great feeling, helping to keep them safer.” “I’m not sure if they’re hindered on purchasing supplies,” he noted, but he wanted to take action when he, “got lucky and saw it online”. He noted that if he was able to locate much-needed masks, he would donate them, as well.
John Clark noted that all three friends and their wives know lots of firefighters. “These folks do a lot for us all the time — not just now,” he noted. When he learned of Zamecnik’s plan to help, he and his wife Linda where quick to lend a hand and help their friends.
His friend Graham Harmon noted “we (he and his wife, Grace) knew the local Fire Departments needed them. “We appreciate all they do for us.” He explained, “ We’ve got some of the best Fire Departments in the State.” Harmon continued, “In times like these, communities pull together. They support us, and we want to give back to them, too.”
These three families donated 8,400 pairs of gloves to local first responders. In addition, the Mantua Police Department also received a donation of gloves and hand sanitizer from The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, as well.
