APPLETON, WIs. — Members of the community continue to step up in this tough time of mourning one week after firefighter Mitch Lundgaard died in the line of duty.
The community has stood together throughout the last week and it continues to stand together.
"We needed to do something for the fire department and knowing that food is always welcomed,” says Leah Suprise. “That was our first thing.”
Leah Suprise is a coordinator with Project Six, a group that was created to thank law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS for all they do in our community. The group stepped up to support Appleton firefighters, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
"Every meal every day, plus some,” says Leah. “They get snacks and root beer floats and all that other stuff, too.”
Volunteers sign up for a meal online and can bring already cooked meals or ingredients so they firefighters can cook together. Leah tells NBC26 the fridge and freezers at Fire Station One are packed with food, all thanks to the generosity of the community. The firefighters are appreciative, Leah says, for all the generosity.
"They even asked the other day, ‘Who's doing all of this,' and I said, ‘It's people at their homes making this stuff,’ and they're like, ‘Really?’ and I’m like ‘Yeah.'”
Carey Martin is the wife of a firefighter and volunteers with project six. She says she tries not to put herself in their shoes but can't help it.
"Putting myself in the position knowing what the community would do then drives me to do that for the families,” says Carey Martin.
"These people are heroes,” says Leah. “I mean my children look up to them. Other people's children look up to them and this is something you would never imagine happening in our community.”
Project Six is making sure everyone is taken care of in this tough time.
If you would like to support the Appleton Fire Department, click here.
