Waypoint 4180 recognizes sacrifice of first responders
.jpg "The Waypoint 4180 banquet center in Westford Commons in Canfield gave away hundreds of pizzas Tuesday to first responders. Nancy Sullivan, executive director of sales and marketing and owner Chuck Whitman delivered pizzas to emergency vehicles as they pulled in. (Bob Yosay/Mahoning Matters)")
CANFIELD — A line of firetrucks arrived at Waypoint 4180 along Westford Place midday Tuesday — but not for an emergency call.
They were just there to pick up lunch.
The banquet center, which is otherwise closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Tuesday fired up the ovens to serve up 500 free pizza lunches to the area's first responders.
By 2 p.m., about 300 firefighters, EMTs, police officers and nurses had been served, said Nancy Sullivan, executive director of marketing.
"We were just trying to think of what we could do to thank the first responders here," she said. "They're on the frontlines of this. It's very scary for them.
"Everybody's been very, very positive and appreciative and thanking us. … If we can give back to the first responders, it's a good day."
Don Hutchison, Cardinal Joint Fire District chief, said it's just one of the many gestures of community goodwill first responders have seen since the pandemic began and complicated an already dangerous job.
In the past few weeks, the Canfield department's received numerous donations of food and protective equipment, he said.
"Honest to God — it just shows you how much they're appreciated. … You realize how much these guys going out on these calls are risking — their family, their health and everything else," Hutchison said.
The pizza giveaway, a "no-contact" event allowing first responders to pull up in their vehicles — or firetrucks — was coordinated alongside CTW Development Corp. owned by Chuck Whitman.
"We realize the dedication and sacrifice of those on the frontlines and this is just our little way of saying, 'Thank you'," he said in a statement last week.
This story was originally published May 6, 2020 at 5:23 AM with the headline "Waypoint 4180 recognizes sacrifice of first responders."