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Virginia Beach firefighter's text to mom a reminder of how we're fighting the pandemic together

Virginia Beach firefighter text to mom.png
Posted at 9:52 PM, Apr 30, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-30 21:57:25-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - "We're all in this together." As we navigate life through the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, one Virginia Beach firefighter recently discovered just how meaningful this phrase really is.

According to the Virginia Beach Fire Department, Master Firefighter/Investigator Summer Pruette recently climbed into the rear cab of Ladder 8 and discovered a small bottle of hand sanitizer tucked into the shelf next to the hook on which her fire helmet was hanging. When Pruette saw the Staples logo on the bottle, she remembered that her mother, Becky, worked in the Technology Department at the store.

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Pruette immediately sent a text to her mother with a picture of her helmet hanging next to the bottle of hand sanitizer with the caption, “Feels like you’re on the truck with me today!!!”

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Becky sent the message out to her coworkers, and it eventually reached a supervisor, who declared her daughter's text the "Quote of the Week" and then forwarded the text and photo to the entire Staples Technology Department with the following message:

I think this caption perfectly illustrates the positive impact that Staples is making within all of our communities nationwide. We can all be proud that our company is helping the heroes who are battling on the frontlines during this crisis. Be encouraged knowing that your daily efforts are playing a major role in keeping our country’s education systems running, businesses operating, and first responders & medical professionals protected.
Nick Koutoulas

The fire department is reminding everyone in the community that, as exemplified by Pruette's text to her mom, we're all in this together.

"Everyone has the opportunity to help out during these challenging times, whether it’s on the front lines with our healthcare workers and first responders or keeping the shelves on our grocery stores stocked. Even something as benign as following the guidelines for social distancing, staying home as much as possible and practicing good hygiene will help us beat this pandemic and return to our normal lives," VBFD officials say.

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