The Daily Union. December 24, 2013

Junction City Volume 153, No. 189, 2 Sections, 16 pages, 7 Inserts www.yourDU.net 50 Cents • Junction City, Kansas Snowstorm JC 9A THE D AIL Y UNION. Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013 BY TIM WEIDEMAN [email protected] Shadd Snyder is known to his fel- low Junction City firefighters as a selfless, dedicated person. So when 70 percent of his family’s home in Enterprise was lost in a fire Dec. 19, the 16-year Junction City Fire Department veteran didn’t have to wait long before receiving offers to help in any way possible. Just 30 minutes after the fire start- ed, JCFD Lt. Matt Raub drove from his home in Abilene to pick up the Snyders’ four adopted children to provide them a place to stay for the night. For Raub, the 20-minute drive was nothing to help his friend. “I’d have driven further if I had to,” he said Sunday. “As firemen, that’s what we do — we go help people.” That night, Raub texted others who gladly wanted to lend a hand. “I knew if I contacted a couple people, I could get things rolling a little faster,” he said. The Snyders’ need was clear. Nobody was injured in the fire, but the kids and Shadd’s mother lost almost all of their belongings. The JCFD and others have come together to help the Snyders through the holiday season. “It’s been an overwhelming bless- ing,” Snyder said. “The brotherhood from the fire department has been amazing.” Raub said the firefighters consider themselves family. “The guys who are on our shift, we’re all like brothers here,” he said. Snyders’ department brothers now have begun organizing citywide sup- port for the family. Because of Snyder’s insurance, the family has a place to stay. Helping out one of their own Just the cliché — peace on earth and good will to all. But if I listen closely to my wish, then I know that I have to be the change that I want to see in the world. I have to advocate for peace; I have to model good will. I have to do everything I can to make a difference here and now. NIKKI WOOLSEY Zion United Church of Christ My Christmas wish is ... That we reach out to family, friends, those in need, and particularly, those who are lonely and depressed during the holiday season. Vickie Bobbit t Executive Director , I.C.A.R.E. That all Big Red One soldiers return home safely. JOHN SEITZ Military Affairs Director For the world to see the good in each other and all hate disappears from the face of this earth! Ron Walker USD 475 Superintend ent For my family and all other families to enjoy their holiday together and remember the past memories and continue to create new memories to look back on Melissa Tyson Daily Union Advertising Director K-State win in Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. Heath Gerstner USD 475 That all my friends would have their families together this Christmas. LISAMARIE DEVEAU Student Services Secretary JCHS Freshman Success Academy For all of us to take pause and remember the five Fort Riley soldiers we lost last week. Their supreme sacrifice reminds us that freedom isn’t free. My heart is with the families. A brother, dad, husband, will not be coming home. This Christmas will be forever in the minds of their families and not for the joyous occasion it should have been. I thank those soldiers and their families for your supreme sacrifice so I can enjoy my freedom and celebrate the holidays with my family. MICK MCC ALLISTER JC Commissioner Merry Christmas Local firefighters come to aid after blaze WANT TO HELP? The Junction City Fire Depart- ment is accepting clothes and cash donations at both stations, which are located at 700 N. Jefferson St. and 2245 Lacy Drive. Please see Helping, 9A

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The Daily Union. December 24, 2013