On Thursday, Nov. 17, Mesquite Fire Chief Kash Christopher presented Yoli Bell and the Mesquite Cancer Help Society (MCHS) $6,280 for their three-day boot drive in front of Smith’s and Walmart along with their pink t-shirt sales during October which was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Photo by Teri Nehrenz

On Thursday, Nov. 17, Mesquite Fire Chief Kash Christopher presented Yoli Bell and the Mesquite Cancer Help Society (MCHS) $6,280 for their three-day boot drive in front of Smith’s and Walmart along with their pink t-shirt sales during October which was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Photo by Teri Nehrenz

“It’s not the work we put in but a testament to the support of such a great and wonderfully dedicated community that I proudly present you with this check,” said Mesquite Fire Chief, Kash Christopher, when he presented Yoli Bell and the Mesquite Cancer Help Society (MCHS) $6,280 for their three day boot drive in front of Smith’s and Walmart along with their pink t-shirt sales throughout October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“C.E.R.T. members and fire department staff all worked hard to collect for the boot in front of the stores and at different events during the month but most of this came in just three days of the boot drive. That alone tells you first what a dedicated team of volunteers we have within the department and in the C.E.R.T. members. More importantly it tells you how great a community we live in when the people rally in such a short time to help those they don’t even know but who live here. I’ve never seen anything like this town and the tremendous support they show to their fellow men and women,” said Christopher. “It makes you feel grateful and very proud to be part of it.”

Nick Montoya, Director of Athletics and Leisure Services for the City of Mesquite was also in attendance for the support of all. Montoya’s staff members Griseyda Belalcazar and Nichole Burnside worked extremely hard for the Recreation and Senior Centers in organizing and setting up events and t-shirt sales to also raise money for the cause. Montoya and his staff will be presenting Bell and the MCHS with their own check shortly. Montoya said, “We couldn’t have done all the things we did without the help of an excellent staff, these two women, several volunteers and the support and help of the Eureka for letting us borrow their portable stage for the events. It was truly a community effort. We’re still tallying the totals because there were so many different fundraisers that our staff worked very hard on but we’ll have them soon.”

Bell was choked up when she tried to speak but the gratitude and happiness shone through the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. “This community has continued to be so generous and supportive for years and each and every time I see it, I can’t help but be overwhelmed.” She continued on to tell a story of a women who felt alone in her battle until she came to a support group meeting and realized that she wasn’t. Bell said, “In this wonderful community, nobody need ever feel as if they are alone. It is times like this and all the other support we receive from this generous community that makes us all realize that we, in fact, are not alone. This will help many people considerably. Thank you”