In recognition of the work done for the community since July 1892, young people from the Caleb Mission project, in the Bom Retiro district, paid tribute to the Joinville Volunteer Fire Department, in Santa Catarina, on the afternoon of January 22.

During the visit to the corporation's headquarters, the group sang Christian songs, prayed, shared a biblical reflection, and presented the firefighters with kits containing cards with messages of affection, cereal bars, and literature.

As explained by Gerciel Santos, one of the organizers of the social action, in addition to the tributes, the young people had the opportunity to get to know the equipment and facilities at the department through a guided tour. "We are very grateful to Commander Carlos Antônio Kelm, who so kindly responded to the request via email", Santos expressed thankfully.

Saving Lives for Over a Century

The Joinville Volunteer Fire Department is the oldest institution of its kind in the country. Since 1892, it has provided free services to the community in firefighting, pre-hospital care, vehicular rescue, mountain rescue, water provision, vertical {?}, and collapsed structures. It is made up of 1,700 people, including child firefighters, volunteers, officers, brigade members, and support personnel. It is affiliated with the Association of Volunteer Firefighters in the State of Santa Catarina (ABVESC).

Social Mobilizations in Santa Catarina

Other social actions mobilized Adventist youth in the last two weekends in dozens of cities in Santa Catarina. There were revitalizations of squares, street cleaning, food collection, donation campaigns, serenades in homes for the elderly, and blood donation to the Hematology and Hemotherapy Centers of Santa Catarina (HEMOSC), among others.

This article was originally published on the South American Division’s Portuguese news site