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South Salem student mentors send some love to city dispatchers

Salem Fire Chief Mike Niblock accepts gifts for the 911 dispatchers from South Salem High School LINK students on Feb. 11, 2022. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)

On Feb. 11, four students from the LINK program at South Salem High School delivered valentines to Salem’s dispatchers. The students made personalized gifts to show appreciation to those very first responders who take citizens’ 911 calls.  

South Salem High School’s LINK program is a leadership program that connects incoming freshmen with upperclassmen mentors to follow and help them throughout their transition and first year in high school. Student leaders Maggie Becker, Annie Biondello, Deliyna Elias and Maddie White attended.

“LINK is all about connections and bringing people together. As a group, we are leaders both in school and out,” Becker said. “While we mostly do events pertaining to South Salem High School, we felt it was important to show a little love for the 911 dispatchers to let them know how much we appreciate all the hard work they do for our community. LINK strives to give back, and this was a perfect chance to show our gratitude.”

Salem Fire Chief Mike Niblock met the students at Salem Fire Station 1 to accept the valentines on behalf of the dispatchers. A few members of the Salem Fire Foundation were present to show support as well. Foundation President-Elect Bonique Hollinrake, Past President Monica Pacheco, and new Board Member Paco Rosas all came to thank the students. The Salem Fire Foundation is a local nonprofit that supports the work of the Salem Fire Department. Board Member Pastor Jody Becker helped coordinate the students’ project. 

“We certainly appreciate these students and Salem Fire Foundation Board Members coming down today and helping us show some love to our dispatchers. They work very hard to keep our community safe, and other communities, answering 911 calls,” said Niblock.

Bonique Hollinrake, Chief Mike Niblock, Monica Pacheco and Paco Rosas pose with South Salem High School LINK students on Feb. 11, 2022 (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)

The Willamette Valley Communications Center (WVCC) is a regional center based in Salem, Oregon. It provides 9-1-1 dispatch services to agencies in three counties. Police, fire, ambulance, and emergency services agencies in Lincoln, Marion, and Polk Counties and the Grand Ronde area rely on the communications center to take emergency calls and handle incidents.

About Salem Fire Foundation: The mission of the Salem Fire Foundation is to promote community support for the Salem Fire Department. www.SalemFireFoundation.org

Mary Louise VanNatta is a Salem public relations professional writing regularly for Salem Reporter. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook.

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