The South Haven Fire Department has been a part of Alexsis Hopper’s life for a decade.
The 16-year-old Portage High School junior started hanging around the station when she was six when her brother became a member. She joined the department’s junior firefighter program to become more involved with the department and her community.
Alexsis has participated in several of the department’s programs over the years, from community Christmas parties to the Goblin Patrol.
When the COVID-19 pandemic caused the junior firefighter program to be suspended and prevented Alexsis from visiting the station, she knew she had to do something to show her support for the department and its members.
Since April 1, Alexsis has been lighting candles and placing them around the memorial in front of the station on County Road 700 North.
“Everyone over there means a lot to me and I thought this would be a good way to show them how much they mean to me,” she said.
In addition to lighting candles each night, Alexsis took the time to write messages of support on some of the luminaries. She also wrote the name of each firefighter on the department on the white bags which hold the candles.
“I’ve met so many people there and they’ve helped me in so many ways,” Alexsis, who plans on becoming a neonatologist, said.
“The fire family has become my family and they mean a lot to me,” she said, adding she will continue lighting candles to show her support for her first responder family until the pandemic crisis is over.