When fire raged through Crowley County April 15th, the losses were devastating. Two Olney Springs volunteer firemen gave their lives trying to save their neighbors’ properties and twenty-four homes were completely destroyed. Among those affected were Bob and Helen Smothermon. Smothermon has worked the night shift at Loaf ‘n Jug in Fowler for almost five years, always offering a friendly greeting to the morning coffee drinkers coming in just as his shift ends. Also a Shriner, Smothermon has driven one of the mini Shriner cars (a casualty of the fire) in the Missouri Day Parade for several years. The fire took their home, outbuildings and all possessions except their car, the clothes they had on their backs and their six dogs.

As if that wasn’t enough, Smothermon recently completed cancer treatments. However, true to his nature he remains upbeat and cheerful, considering himself a lucky man.

As the shock of what had happened in the next county began to set in, members of the Fowler High School EPYCS club immediately began looking for ways to help out. Two days following the fire students served Fowler firefighters homemade cookies and lemonade in gratitude for their service. But the plight of the Smothermons struck a chord with the kids who wanted to do something to make a difference.

Within a week EPYCS members, in cooperation with student councils from elementary, junior high and high school, organized and launched several fund raising events.

A coin war took place in the high school. A container for each class was located in the office with silver coins counting as positive points. Dollars and pennies could be contributed to opposing classes and counted as negative points. Winning the most points and earning a pizza party was the junior class.
Students were also allowed to wear pajamas, hats, crazy hair, or go without shoes on specific days in exchange for contributing. Perhaps the most entertaining activity for the kids was buying water balloons to throw at teacher, Michael Aragon.

On Monday, May 19, Bob and Helen were invited to share lunch with Fowler school students. Helen wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t attend but Bob was there and enjoyed an hour of getting to know the kids who had spent the last month raising funds for him and his wife. Throughout the meal kids would stop by the table and wish Smothermon well, often handing him a handful of change.

Following lunch, representatives from all three student councils gathered around Smothermon and, amid applause, presented him a check for $2000. “You guys are all fantastic. You deserve the applause,” stated Smothermon.

“Seventeen years ago when we moved into that house it took seven stock trailer loads to move us in,” he told the crowd. “Right now, if I had a suitcase, I could move everything we own with it.” “This will help so much. Thank you, thank you!” he added.

Student council member, Kirsten Grasmick, later commented on her involvement with the project, “I have never felt so good about helping someone.”
Junior, Morgan Moss, added, “We want to thank all who helped out and donated.”

“You never know how much you need it until it happens,” stated Lindsey Moss, elementary student council representative.

A touching side-note to the story is that earlier in the year when the Fowler EPYCS club received their grant funding, $500 was included to be used by the club as needed. After the fire they voted to donate that money to the Crowley County EPYCS club to disperse at their discretion. In turn the Crowley EPYCS club donated the money back to Fowler to give to the Smothermons.

Bob and Helen are currently staying with their son in Las Animas but are in the process of buying a house in Rocky Ford.