Antioch fifth-graders thank firefighters

Antioch Principal Kelli Sanders is pictured with Alice Thomas' fifth-grade class and firefighters from Crestview Fire Department's Station 2.

CRESTVIEW — Local firefighters now know they have fans at Antioch Elementary School.

Fifth-grade Aviators in Alice Thomas’ class recently collected various snacks and drinks and presented them to Crestview Fire Department Station 2 first-responders as gratitude for serving the community.

The treats included coffee and “grab and go snacks” that students collected during First Responder Appreciation Week; accompanying them was a letter of appreciation written by the fifth-graders students, Thomas said.

During the visit, the Aviators got an up-close look at one of the station’s fire engines. Fun as meeting firemen and exploring a fire truck was, those weren't the main goals, Thomas said.

“My desire was to instill the desire to give back to those that protect and serve our community,” she said. “Fire Station 2 is located within a mile of Antioch and would be our first responders in the case of an emergency.”

When Gov. Rick Scott proclaimed Jan. 5-9 as First Responder Appreciation Week, the event didn’t go unnoticed by Thomas’s class.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Antioch fifth-graders thank firefighters