By Terra Avilla
Oh. Our community. Our sweet, loving, huge-hearted community.
This past week, after Officer Ryan Barham’s memorial, I was overwhelmed by what our community is truly capable of. I couldn’t pinpoint only one agency or person or church that made my heart fill with pride to live here, because the totality of everything was so overwhelming.
This week I just really wanted to do a reminder of how truly lucky we are to live where we do.
Also, in a time where a prison closure seems so scary, I wanted to offer this piece of solace for you all. I have seen what our community can do. Together we can move mountains. Let me give you a very glimpse into what our community did within a matter of days for our Ryan.
After the initial outpouring of support, our community quickly got to work, by donating flowers, cards and food.
When the Police Explorers explained that they would like to make goody baggies for all attending first responders, we received enough supplies and handwritten notes for over 400 bags. Bags stuffed to the brim with our community’s love and support.
I peered through the letters and was overtaken with love for you all. From the cutest of cute little kids’ drawings and handprints, to the heartfelt handwritten letters and notes that were written with such love. It was something the Explorers and I will never forget.
Then came the teamwork to pull off the huge undertaking of the memorial.
In a small town, where resources are not as abundant in bigger cities, what we lack in “things” we make up in teamwork. Did you guys know that our local CHP covered patrol for the City so that all of our department could say goodbye to our partner? Or that the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office pretty much single-handedly cleaned up after the event.
Yes, the Sheriff stayed, and he and his wife vacuumed the hall.
Then there was Public Health and Behavioral Health, who went above and beyond to help set up, usher guests, and assist with the reception.
Kelly Fink from Walton’s Mortuary went out of his way to work with us and donated so much of his time to helping answer a million questions.
James and Rhonda Hall …oh man, when I say that you that we were a needy group, I mean it. Yet James and Rhonda were nothing but accommodating and welcoming.
We had tons of local businesses donate water, food, and drinks (for the services) as well as an onslaught of individual people who made dishes for the potluck. When I tell you that it was the best catered event I have seen, please know that I mean it.
I witnessed my Chief start his new career chapter by burying one of his own. It was an awful way to start out as Chief but watching him handle it made me proud of our department.
I could write on and on the amazing selfless acts I witnessed in the past two weeks.
I could write about how the angels in the Lassen County Diversion program slaved away making the reception beautiful even as they dealt with their own heartbreak.
I could tell you how Rotary stepped up to line Main Street with American Flags for the procession.
I could tell you how impressed I am with the contestants for Ms. Lassen County as they showed up and, in the blistering heat, distributed the goody bags for us during the service.
I could go on and on. I know I say it every week, but please, believe me, we truly live in the greatest community, made up of the greatest people – who constantly remind me of why I love the place we live.
