Trish Bennett, Editor
CIRCLEVILLE – A new lighting system donated to Box65 by the Fraternal Order of Eagles was dedicated Saturday in memory of a retired firefighter and Eagles member who helped give the group its start.
The $900 light plant, which works in conjunction with a generator previously donated by the Savings Bancorp Inc., was dedicated in honor of Raymond J. Crawford at a ceremony at the Box65 headquarters on South Court Street.
According to Mark Adkins, scene support coordinator for Box65, Crawford supported the unit in its infancy by not only coordinating its first monetary donation but also providing funding for Box65’s non-profit 501(c)3 status through the Eagles.
“He was a Circleville firefighter, so he understood the need for Box65,” Adkins said. “After he passed away, we wanted to make this dedication in his honor.”
Since those early donations, Adkins said the Eagles have continued to provide support for the unit, including coffee-making equipment and the lighting equipment dedicated Saturday.
He said the light plant will produce 15,000 lumens and is available not only to local fire departments, but for disaster services and law enforcement as well.
“This is a multi-use piece of equipment and will be responsive to all emergencies,” Adkins said.
Crawford, 68, passed away unexpectedly Oct. 4, 2014. He was represented at Saturday’s ceremony by his daughter, Cassie Arledge, son-in-law, Jim Arledge, and granddaughters, Brooke and Chelsie Arledge.
Box65 is a volunteer auxiliary unit of the Circleville Fire Department that assists firefighters and other safety forces by providing rest stations, hot and cold drinks and heating and cooling stations depending on the season to crews at emergency scenes. The unit supports not only the Circleville Fire Department but other departments throughout Pickaway County and the surrounding area as well.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
