The Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District recently received a heartfelt and generous gift from one of our youngest community members. Laina Bensley, an 8th grader at Hampshire Middle School and a resident of Pingree Grove, prepared a variety of delicious homemade meals for our firefighters—just in time for the busy summer season.

Laina is an active member of the Beta Club, an International Honors Society, and is working toward a goal of completing 100 hours of community service by the end of her 8th-grade year. Her desire to serve led her to support our department in a truly meaningful way.

With the help of her grandparents, Bill and Debbie Schaefer of Carillon, Laina prepared several freezer-friendly meals including beef brisket, chili, chicken noodle soup, and sweet and sour chicken. She also baked applesauce cake and banana cake—desserts that disappeared quickly among our crews!

This week, Laina, her grandmother, and her younger brother Liam personally delivered the meals to our station. Their thoughtfulness and effort not only provided nourishment but also boosted morale for our firefighters, who are often on the go and may miss a hot meal during long shifts.

We are incredibly grateful to Laina and her family for their kindness and support. Their generosity is a perfect example of the strong community spirit that makes Pingree Grove such a special place to serve and protect.

Thank you, Laina—your service and dedication are truly inspiring!