Black Mountain first responders give local residents the gift of Thanksgiving

‘This is why we do the job’

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
November 20, 2020

BMPD Sergeant Monte Hensley hands a box containing ingredients for a Thanksgiving meal to BMFD Chief Scottie Harris on Nov. 20. The departments distributed the meals to 10 homes in Black Mountain. Photo by Fred McCormick

Each November, millions of families across the country sit down to share a meal and gratitude for the things they cherish. Yet, while Thanksgiving is a time-honored tradition in many households, in others the meals are a luxury that remain out of reach. 

This year, the economic hardships brought about by a global pandemic will likely force more families to forego the annual feast, but Black Mountain first responders came to the rescue for some residents.

Boxes packed with ingredients for traditional Thanksgiving dinners were loaded into service vehicles in front of the town’s police and fire departments, Nov. 20, when they were hand-delivered to 10 homes in the community. 

BMPD launched the initiative in 2017 under Chief Shawn Freeman, who stepped into his position with the department the previous May. The program raised funds through contributions of local residents, businesses and BMPD staff, and the money collected was used to purchase Thanksgiving meals and Christmas gifts for families in need. 

The department typically raises between $9,000 to $10,000 each year, according to Freeman, but due to the financial hardships experienced by many people in 2020, he decided not to solicit funds this year. The community, however, found ways to get involved. 

Local businesses organized in July to treat department staff to a catered lunch, but what began as a gesture of appreciation resulted in a $4,000 check that was presented to Freeman in September by the organizers of the event. That money was donated to support the department’s holiday initiative. 

BMPD Chief Shawn Freeman, right, coordinates deliveries of Thanksgiving meals with BMFD Deputy Chief John Wilson, left, and BMPD Sergeant Monte Hensley. Photo by Fred McCormick

“That was huge for us this year, and we’re so appreciative of that support because I’m not sure what we could have done without it,” the chief said. “We already knew that with everything going on this year, the need was going to be much greater than it has in the past.”

To raise more money, officers were given permission to not shave from November through January if they contributed $50 per month. 

“Our guys really stepped it up this year,” Freeman said. “That brought in a good amount of money for this, and we also had people in the community who just reached out and asked if they could write a check to support local residents in need.”

The fire department was eager to assist and began accepting donations of food at its Montreat Road station. 

“We’re currently doing a food drive that will continue through Christmas, so people are welcome to drop those items off ” Deputy Fire Chief John Wilson said. “The way we look at it is that we’re here to serve the community, and this is one of the needs, so we see this as an opportunity to help.”

Supplementing the food collected by the fire department with the financial contributions from the community allowed the departments to maximize its funding, according to Freeman. The department connected with 10 Black Mountain households that were unable to afford Thanksgiving dinner this year. 

BMPD Officer Travis Duyck loads a box of food that will be delivered to local residents for Thanksgiving into the back of his vehicle. Photo by Fred McCormick

“Some of those names we received from Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry, which is an organization that does tremendous work here,” he said. “Others were people in the community who we knew needed assistance.”

While enforcing laws and ensuring public safety is often the most visible aspect of the job, establishing a bond and building trust within the community they serve is another aspect that Freeman prioritizes. 

“We look forward to the holidays,” he said. “We feel like one of our responsibilities we share as both departments is to address needs in the community. While we do enforce the law, our greater goal is to take care of our citizens.”

Sergeant Monte Hensley is a Swannanoa Valley native who has been with BMPD for four years. He was approached by several residents who expressed an interest in supporting the department’s holiday initiative this year, and was one of the officers who delivered the boxes to the homes. 

“I grew up here and raised my family here,” he said. “This year, with everything that’s going on, this event is more important than it’s ever been. And, people have been ready and willing to help because they understand the challenges that others are dealing with.”

Sergeant Monte Hensley carries bags of food out of the Black Mountain Police Department on Nov. 20. Photo by Fred McCormick

Delivering the food is something Hensley looks forward to every year. 

“I love the fact that what we do here has a positive impact on the people of this community,” he said. “This is why we do the job.”