FRANKFORD W.Va (WVDN) – A young family, the DiScipios, recently relocated from Florida to Frankford, West Virginia. Eager to explore their new surroundings and experience the unique qualities of West Virginia, they quickly discovered the beauty and charm that drew many others to the state. Their children were thrilled to witness their first deer family in the misty morning fields and the excitement of attending the State Fair held in their county.
The DiScipio family, bonding together to make a huge move that would leave behind the world they knew, embarked upon a journey that would ultimately leave one of the youngest without his friends, classmates or neighbors, to join his 10th birthday celebration. The young mother, Krishna, turned to social media with a plight, many mothers face in life with children; no party guests. Be it a summer birthday or a new home, many times parents find themselves in a pinch when vacations or the regular business of life gets in the way of planning a youngster’s birthday party. As adults, we can do without and many prefer it that way, but for a child, it’s downright hurtful when there are no party guests.
Krishna and her family found Blue Bend swimming hole and made some friends there, inviting all of them to Brian’s party not knowing if anyone could or would show up. She also made a post in a mom’s group on Facebook. After sharing her post: “We just moved here. We would like to make some friends and invite anyone with children, to our son’s birthday party!” There were a few responses and some even said they would love to come. It’s something a lot of folks don’t talk about, but it’s difficult to make your way in a new place as an adult trying to make new friends, much less worry for your children in the same aspect. And it’s summertime. It’s great that people can reach out to local mom or dad groups to find help, join in the fun to swap unneeded items or drum up party guests.
They already had super dad, Damon, mastering the grill and putting up the new trampoline just in time, siblings and mom planning games and setting up for his special day. Then, the wait began. Several people started showing up and the party was underway! As a happy boy laughed and played for his double-digit day, a special surprise made a grand entrance. It could be heard over the holler and when it pulled into his house, his smile grew miles wide!
Frankford Fire Department to the rescue!
A call was made in the beginning of the plight to the fire department asking if they might be able to show up for a kid, far away from home and friends, to maybe be the ice breaker or a significant replacement to party guests for him. The idea was that if no guests show up, there would be a wow factor somehow. What 10-year-old doesn’t love a shiny, red fire truck?! Lights blazing and sirens blaring. Brave firefighters talking to them? Getting to sit in the trucks to see all the buttons and levers, cool seats and windows or make the siren sound.
Although the Frankford Fire Department was short-handed and had no engine to bring, Chief Brian Ford communicated that he would be able to send a brush truck and Firefighter Ethan Ford would be there. Ethan Ford showed up in style in one of the hearty brush trucks as the children gathered to see what the fuss was about. Brian was immediately offered a front-row seat to look and learn about this vital piece of the team’s equipment. Firefighter Ford took some time to talk with the family, show them the cool truck and talk a bit about what their new community was about. There was a happy child whose parents went above and beyond to pull off a party and a community rallied behind them to make sure they were all welcomed in a way that only speaks, West Virginia.
A huge thank you goes out to the Frankford Fire Department who took time out of their busy, short-handed day to make a little boy smile and his family beam with happiness. To Chief Brian and Fireman Ethan, thank you. Thank you not only for braving the dangers you do to keep us all safe and for the time put in away from your own family and friends, we thank you. We stand in awe of how selfless each of you is daily. This is what West Virginia is, this is what we do. When one is in need, we all step up. It’s the way of the farmer and the Appalachians that no one will suffer alone or go without. It’s wonderful to think that a family was made to feel this kind of love from their community and can tell folks back home, that we are safe, loved and taken care of. That in itself is a blessing and a 10-year-old may never forget his double-digit birthday, the first one in West Virginia! Welcome DiScipios, welcome home.
