TURKEY CREEK — Recognized as “heroes” by a former talk show host, members of a local volunteer fire department learned Friday they were the recipients of $25,000 for firefighting equipment. The money comes from a program launched in January by former nationally syndicated talk show host Jenny Jones, who plans to give away $1 million of her own money this year to recipients wanting to make a difference in their own communities. The Turkey Creek Volunteer Fire Department is only the second lucky winner named as one of “Jenny’s Heroes.” Jones said the fire department was chosen from more than 2,500 applications after Teddy Robinette, a disabled coal miner, expressed his concern that the fire department didn’t have the funding to provide the volunteers with much needed equipment.“I received applications from all across the country, including Hawaii and Alaska,” Jones said. The money will be used to purchase a thermal imaging camera, K-12 Rescue Saw, a small jaws-of-life pump, firefighting foam and a deck gun.

At 10 a.m. Friday, Jones called Robinette’s Turkey Creek home to personally give him the good news. Robinette told Jones that the department has 12 volunteers who get excellent training from the state and county but very little funding. Robinette explained that he heard about the give-away through word of mouth and went online to fill out the application. “I felt like we had a one in a million chance to win,” Robinette said. “I found out we were in the running but I had no idea we would win. The fire department has an urgent need for updated equipment and not enough money to buy it so I knew if we had any chance of getting the equipment, it would have to be through Jenny Jones.”

After becoming disabled, Robinette said there were little things he could do to help out at the fire department and he tried to do those things. “They’ve got to have fuel, pay the utilities, and buy equipment to fight fires and respond to vehicle accidents,” he said. “I appreciate what we’re getting, but in rural fire departments, we don’t get much money. This will go a long way to help the community, if we can possibly save one person’s life or a member of our own family.” Robinette also praised the volunteers for giving their time even though most hold other jobs. “They are on call 24/7,” he said. “They have to be dedicated because they have very little free time. They maintain their training and answer calls anytime day or night.”

When informed of the win, TCVFD Assistant Chief Tim Cline described the event as unbelievable. “I’m thankful this is coming to the department,” Cline said. “I appreciate Teddy and Ruby. They’re the people in the community who are willing to do for the fire department. We desperately needed to upgrade our equipment.’ Cline said the equipment will be a great asset as far as saving lives and providing mutual aid to other fire departments. “I never thought something like this would happen here,” Cline said. “I didn’t expect us to win. The whole department and the community appreciates what the Robinettes have done.”

Both Robinette and his wife Ruby were overcome with emotion when the found out this was only the second $25,000 that had been awarded. Jones said after having the opportunity to host a successful 12-year talk show, she is giving back some of her good fortune. “I have been blessed with a successful career in television and am excited to give back to those who have their own dreams but need funds to make it come true,” she said.

Jones said they will be doing this every week and after making this announcement, they will start working on the next winner. To qualify, a project must help a number of people and have long lasting benefits. Jones personally selects the final recipient of each grant. “I was touched by Teddy’s e-mail because he doesn’t benefit and one day somewhere, somehow, someone’s life may be saved because of him,” Jones said. “And also because his wife’s name is Ruby and they have been married for 35 years.”

Jones said she is lucky because she doesn’t have to work and this is what she wants to do with her money. “This is more rewarding than any job I could possibly have,” she said. “I get the good feeling of giving and so does Teddy. He gets the satisfaction of making a difference for years to come.”

Others who want to submit an application or get details on the program can go to www.jennysheroes.com and explain what their community improvement project is and how their grant would be used. “I hope the Turkey Creek Volunteer Fire Department gets good use out of the equipment,” Jones said.

Robinette’s photo will be posted at jennysheroes@aol.com, Jones said. “I hope people will go online and extend their congratulations to him,” she said.