06/16/2026
The New Haven and Community Volunteer Fire Department recently had the honor of welcoming a very special guest to our station, Mitchell Harbrecht.
Mitchell, a Wahama High School graduate, visited the station with his parents, Steve and Kim Spencer, and brought smiles to everyone there. During his visit, Mitchell personally presented each firefighter with a firefighter challenge coin, taking the time to hand them out one by one to every member in attendance. It was a thoughtful gesture that meant a great deal to our firefighters and made the visit even more special.
As many in our community already know, Mitchell is a familiar face around town and someone who has never met a stranger. Whether he's out enjoying one of his favorite restaurants, or attending community events, it's not uncommon to hear someone call out his name from across the street just to say hello. Mitchell's friendly personality and genuine kindness have earned him many friendships throughout the area.
Mitchell enjoys listening to music from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s and is a devoted fan of Dwight Icenhower, a five-time world champion Elvis Presley tribute artist who is recognized as one of the finest Elvis tribute performers in the world today. He also enjoys watching Mrs. Doubtfire and dining out with family, with Red Lobster being among his favorite restaurants.
One of Mitchell's proudest moments came when he was recognized as "Mayor for a Day" by the Mayor of New Haven, an honor that created a lasting memory for Mitchell and his family. Anyone who knows Mitchell knows that his smile, friendly wave, and genuine interest in others can brighten even the toughest day.
While we appreciated the challenge coins, the true gift was the opportunity to spend time with Mitchell and his family. His visit reminded us that the fire department is more than a building or a service. We are part of a community, and people like Mitchell help make that community special.
On behalf of all the members of the New Haven and Community Volunteer Fire Department, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Mitchell and his parents for spending part of their evening with us and for the generosity shown through this thoughtful gesture. We are proud to display the challenge coins and will always remember the smiles and memories shared during their visit.
Mitchell's kindness, positive spirit, and love for his community are evident to everyone who knows him. Along with the support and encouragement of Steve and Kim, he has touched the lives of many people throughout the New Haven area and continues to be a source of friendship and inspiration to those around him.
We were truly honored to welcome Mitchell, Steve, and Kim to our station and look forward to seeing them again in the future. Please join us in recognizing them for the positive impact they continue to have on our community.
