Heroes get coffee, donuts for a year
A firefighter and a school teacher from Chambersburg will receive free donuts and coffee for a year, having been named “community heroes” in a regional contest.
Captain Timothy Ebersole of Chambersburg Fire Department and Susan Shuff of Chambersburg Area Senior High School each received the Dunkin’ Donuts “Thanks to you Community Hero Award” last week.
About 100 people were nominated in the central Pennsylvania region, and a total of 10 were selected to receive the award, according to Dunkin’ Donuts spokesperson April Hutcheson. the region is made up of 10 counties and includes 66 Dunkin’ Donuts stores.
The company held the contest for the first time this year because “they wanted to express thanks to the community for the hard work that people do,” Hutcheson said.
Everyone who won will get free Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and a donut once a week for a year, as well as an award certificate and $500.
Ebersole was nominated for the award by Chambersburg Fire Chief FitzGerald. he had been told that he was in the running, but was still surprised when he found out that he had won.
In his nomination, FitzGerald highlighted Ebersole’s work with children in the community, through youth sports and firefighter programs.
“I’ve always felt that if you make a difference in one child’s life, it’s worth it,” Ebersole said.
With 27 years of fire and EMS experience, Ebersole volunteers his time as a co-coordinator of the Franklin County Junior Firefighter Academy. the program gives kids “a taste” of being a firefighter and teaches them important skills like “firefighter survival and accountability,” he said.
“It’s the best way to keep the volunteer service going. They’re the young guys that are going to take my place someday,” Ebersole said.
He also serves as vice president and coach with the Hamilton Heights Youth League. he said youth sports programs are a valuable asset to the community.
“It teaches the kids valuable lessons of life like teamwork and responsibility. It’s also been statistically proven that kids who play sports are less likely to be involved in a crime. we need to keep it going,” he said.
The firefighter said he doesn’t really have a favorite donut.
“They’re OK,” he said. “I guess I’m going to learn to like them of I’m going to get 52 of them.”
He is a coffee drinker, and takes his without any cream or sugar.
Ebersole said he had not yet decided how to spend the cash prize, but he would likely have a lot of help figuring it out.
“That’ll probably be up to the wife,” he said.
Civics and American history teacher Susan Shuff was recognized for her contributions both in and out of the classroom.
As listed in her nomination, Shuff keeps classroom lessons exciting and interactive. In addition, she prepares students for their role after school by engaging them with the community. She mentors at-risk students after school and works to help each student reach their goals.
In addition, she helps organized motivational activities, bus trips and fitness activities for fellow faculty members.
“It’s always an honor,” Shuff said. “A lot of times, I’m just doing what you normally do to help kids to be successful. It’s nice to be recognized.”
Shuff was nominated by a fellow teacher at CASHS. it took Dunkin’ Donuts time to track Shuff down to notify her about the award.
“I knew I was nominated, but kind of forgot about it,” Shuff said. “I was surprised when I received the e-mail. I actually received a phone call on my cell phone. I was at an educators workshop on Paris Island through the Marines. I was unable to check e-mail until the following week.”
What’s Shuff’s donut of choice?
“You can’t go wrong with a glazed donut,” Shuff said. “I also like the chocolate-covered with the Bavarian custard. That would be one that I’d splurge on.”
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