[Vision2020] Blake Richards Paying It Forward

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (November 16, 2009) Moscow-Pullman Daily News with
special appreciation to Blake Richards of the Pullman Fire Department.

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Firefighter starts account to help community members in need

Blake Richards' lifelong desire to help people led him to a career in
which he saves lives for a living.

"I always grew up wanting to help others," said the 24-year-old
firefighter/paramedic for the Pullman Fire Department.

Richards' efforts go beyond helping those with medical or safety needs.
His actions have had a significant impact on others' lives, most recently
in the case of 21-year-old Washington State University student Michael
Novion.

Novion is from the Seattle area, and is attending WSU by way of a
scholarship and other financial assistance. He couldn't afford to fly home
to see his ailing mother, who doctors feared didn't have long to live.

Novion called 911 to ask how he could get a free plane ticket to visit his
mother, and Richards said operators grew concerned about Novion's
well-being. He and fellow firefighter Chuck Caessens went on a welfare
check to Novion's dormitory, where they found him "really depressed."

"That is pretty touchy," Richards said. "I couldn't sleep that night just
thinking about this guy's situation."

The next day, Richards made calls around WSU trying to locate a student
club or organization that could provide financial assistance to Novion,
but his efforts were unsuccessful.

So Richards and other firefighters decided to take action on their own.

Richards called the WSU Police Department, and officers were able to track
down Novion's class schedule to get in touch with him again. Richards then
matched a $180 contribution from the Pullman firefighters' union to buy
Novion a plane ticket.

Richards also drove Novion to the airport so he could catch his flight.

"It felt really good that we could help him," he said.

Novion said he found himself in a tough situation. He first called an
airline to ask about getting a free ticket, but the person who answered
hung up on him.

He was distraught at that point and didn't know who to call, so he decided
to give 911 a try.

"What (Richards) did for me was one of the most compassionate acts that
I've seen," he said. "Being able to see my mom was really needed at that
time. The kindness that he showed me will stick with me for the rest of my
life."

Novion said he hopes to be able to repay Richards for his personal
contribution.

"Someday when I have enough money, I will pay him back," he said.

After his experience with Novion, Richards decided to start the Cougar
Crisis Association. He opened an account at the Bank of America in
Pullman, and hopes the fund will eventually help anyone who encounters a
situation similar to the one Novion faced.

"We want to help the local members of the community who may be in some
sort of financial crisis," he said.

"It's almost like helping your neighbor out," he added. "Sometimes you
have to go above and beyond to help someone. "

He hopes other community members will begin to chip in.

"It's obviously a good cause," he said. "I wish I had a tree that grew
money, but I don't."

Richards said it will probably take a while for the association to help
people the way he envisions, but is optimistic that the community will
recognize the need.

"I think it can get there," he said.

Novion said the association will be very helpful, particularly for students.

His mother remains ill, but he's grateful to have been able to see her. He
said what Richards did for him was a life-changing experience.

"What he did for me kind of changed my outlook," he said. "I want to be
able to help others the way he helped me."

Donations to the Cougar Crisis Association can be made to checking account
number 24200719 at the Bank of America branch in Pullman.

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Blake Richards, a paramedic/firefighter with the Pullman Fire Department,
holds up the stub of a ticket he helped buy for Washington State
University student Michael Novion Sunday in Pullman. Richards funded the
ticket so Novion could visit his ailing mother in the Seattle area.

http://www.dnews.com/images/4419399.jpg

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Anybody care to join me at 875 South Line Street (Bank of America) this
afternoon?

Seeya there, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown