By Joey McWilliams
One phone call turned into five and then to 10 and soon more than 50 Bryan County residents were putting things in motion to help some people who really need it right now.
A group left Saturday morning from south Bryan County heading for the Woodward, Oklahoma area loaded up with aid and assistance for the people of that area. Wildfires have burned thousands of acres in northwest Oklahoma and the lives and livelihoods of many people in that region have suffered devastation.
This group of local men – farmers, ranchers, sod producers, small business owners and more – visited among themselves and not only saw a need but also acted accordingly to help fellow Oklahomans in need. Some brought hay, some brought feed, some brought supplies while others provided the transportation to take these large loads to their destination.
Some of the first phone calls came from Dakota Graham from Roberta. He spoke highly about the willingness of the people of Bryan County to give of themselves and talked about getting this effort underway with the analogy of kicking a ball that was already rolling downhill.
Kyle Dowd from the Albany area said this endeavor came from the hearts of a bunch of people who wanted to show an act of kindness without needing acknowledgement.
“We’re just giving of what the good Lord has given us and provided us with and doing what we can to help those in need up there,” Dowd said. “Anything that we can do maybe gives them a step forward so they can get by for another week or two.
“That’s all we were trying to do. It’s not for the fame or the glory or anything like that – it’s all God’s.”
With huge trucks loaded with cargo, the caravan left at around 5 a.m. on Saturday driving seven hours one way to deliver their assistance.
However, the effort is not yet done. And this is where people from all over the county can also play a part.
A second trip to the northwest Oklahoma area is in the works and more feed and supplies are being purchased. For those who want to help out, here are some of the feed stores in Bryan County at which purchases can be made to be sent in the next trip:
• Thompson Feed in Bokchito
• Smith Feed and Grain in Caddo
• Andrews Farm and Ranch Supply in Colbert
• Bryan Agri Products in Durant
• Hardy Farms in Durant
Purchasing feed and supplies at these or other local outlets is spending money locally and also keeping the tax money here in Bryan County.
Indian Nation Wholesale has already set the pace for local businesses who want to be involved by providing four pallets of feed and four pallets of bottled water as part of the haul.
While so many of those involved humbly deflected attention away from themselves, the part each one of them played in this undertaking was instrumental. And the hay and supplies sent to the area was invaluable.
Bryan County has been represented well through the efforts and lives of these local men and women.