First responders from Raleigh and the surrounding area recently flipped tires to raise money to help deal with mental health issues.
The people taking part lifted a hefty 250lb tire at one side, then kept raising it until it was completely upright, and then topped over in the opposite direction. They flipped the tires several times for a $5 donation.
One of the “flippers” was Stacey Sneider, who said she thought she had flipped almost 100 tires over the course of the morning. Sneider is with the City-County Bureau of Identification, which is a public safety agency. She says some of her co-workers carry a great deal more emotional weight than that of the tires, referring to those whose may be struggling with emotional or mental illness caused by some of the situations they face on the job.
The tire-flipping event raised funds to benefit North Carolina Peer Support. The organization is a nonprofit which has as its mission helping first responders from the local area who are in distress, experiencing mental illness, or suffering a crisis. Brochure printing can provide information about organizations like this.
Traci Van Deventer said average people look away from situations EMS workers, police, 911 dispatchers, and firefighters see every day. Dealing with these incidents can cause what she calls traumatic stress. She notes that there is nothing wrong with feeling upset.
The event raised about $1,800, and organizers hope to make it an annual occurrence.
