06/19/2026
Today, Terrell Fire Department had the privilege of meeting Hellena Pugh and hearing the powerful story behind her annual tradition. As a child, Hellena survived a house fire that tragically claimed the life of her five-year-old brother, Harvey. Every year on his birthday, she honors his memory by bringing food to firefighters as a way of thanking the men and women who answered that call so many years ago and helped save her life.
This year, Hellena went above and beyond by providing every member on duty with a sub, chips, and a drink. Her generosity was appreciated, but even more meaningful was the message she shared with us. Her story is a reminder that the work firefighters do reaches far beyond the emergencies we respond to each day. Sometimes the impact of a single call lasts a lifetime.
On behalf of everyone at Terrell Fire Department, thank you, Hellena, for your kindness, thoughtfulness, and unwavering commitment to honoring Harvey’s memory. Your words of encouragement and your generosity mean more than you know, and we are grateful that you chose to share this special tradition with us.
