From fighting fires to saving kittens, these Fall River folks made a difference in 2022

What makes a city work is not so much the number of people that live there but rather the community that they have built together.

A city might literally be defined by the number of its population, sure, but it’s the ineffable things that make it all work.

Every city has its own culture, and traditions, and, sure, every place has its negative points, but the glue that holds the whole thing together is the community.

The city only works if the community helps each other to make it work.

And Fall River and its community are no exception.

Everywhere in Fall River, there were examples this year of people in the community finding ways to lift each other up and help each other out.

Here are some people and organizations from around the Fall River area who made a difference in 2022:

Fall River firefighters honored by state

The Fall River Fire Department began 2022 battling a four-alarm fire in the Flint that was a “perfect” storm of terrible conditions. That was the weekend in January when a nor’easter dumped two feet of snow on the city, temperatures were in the single digits, and on Irving Street, where the fire was, vehicles had been abandoned to the snow and a plow truck had gotten stuck, blocking the way. Despite that, firefighters got everyone out safely and prevented the fire from spreading to other properties, although the house at 140 Irving St. was deemed a total loss. Two firefighters received injuries, including one who cut his hand and another who slipped on ice and broke several ribs. In November, 45 members of the Fall River Fire Department were honored for their efforts battling that ferocious fire, as the winners of the state’s 33rd annual Firefighter of the Year awards. Although they are uncomfortable in the spotlight, Fire Chief Roger St. Martin said he proudly nominated his department for their efforts.

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Feed the First Responders shows frontline workers appreciation

The onset of the COVID pandemic saw many new efforts spring up as people sought ways to show their appreciation for first responders and frontline workers. Launched by Brad Simmons, who retired as a captain with the Bristol County Sheriff’s Department, Feed the First Responders began as a way to boost morale and show the community’s appreciation. The organization brings meals to first responders and other frontline workers like hospital and nursing home employees. With help from New Bedford chef Nick Ricciardi as well as Stephen Coe, a chef who once bested Bobby Flay, the effort has grown from local police and fire stations to cover the SouthCoast and expand to the South Shore.

Mike Labossiere: Bioreserve Loop Trail celebrates area’s natural beauty

As Fall River Water Department Forester, Mike Labossiere works to protect and preserve the biodiversity of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve. It’s a 16,000-acre tract of protected water and land that both protects the Watuppa and Copicut watersheds and is free for anyone to use to hike, run, bike, or enjoy the quiet scenery. In October, coinciding with the Bioreserve’s 20th anniversary, a new 20-mile Bioreserve Loop Trail opened to the public. The loop trail — or BLT — is really the connection of already existing trails in the Bioreserve. The idea came to Labossiere after reading an article highlighting the Bioreserve as a must-see outdoors spot. Connecting the trails would make the space less overwhelming to newcomers, and give the Bioreserve a signature trail of its own. A whole team of people came together to make it happen, from designing a logo to marking trails. “This is an effort of love — love for the city, love for nature, love for this community,” Labossiere said.

The Veterans’ Kitchen: A warm meal, a place to gather with friends

For the past three years, The Veterans’ Kitchen has been a place where local veterans can get together to catch up and share a hot meal. The nonprofit, which celebrated its third anniversary at the Corky Row Club in October, offers free hot lunches each week for veterans and their guests. Dawn Trahan, who launched the group, said the veterans who come to lunch each week are “like my family.” Though they had to find ways to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, like offering takeout, The Veterans’ Kitchen remains a place where those who served can find a warm meal and camaraderie. “It’s like home,” said Paul Lavoie, a veteran of the National Guard who served during the Vietnam War. “The meals are fantastic and we get to be with a lot of old friends.”

Sydney Boland honors military members, history at Battleship Cove

Sometimes serving your community comes in the form of giving people some space, or offering them information. In August, visitors to Battleship Cove would have noticed a new installation: a reflection area created by Somerset Berkley graduate Sydney Boland. Boland wanted to create a space to honor deceased service members as well as inform the public about the museum. She said the area had been overgrown and surrounded by weeds; now, there are informational signs and a map of the museum, as well as QR codes posted in the museum’s gift shop, so visitors can pull up the information from the signs on their phones and read them while they explore Battleship Cove. Boland, who is herself a "personnelist" in the intelligence wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, said “It’s important to learn about your past because it informs your future.”

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Steve Cobery: Saving lives from Afghanistan to Fall River

Neurosurgeon Steve Cobery’s path has taken him all over the world, from rocket science to medicine, from serving in Afghanistan, and all the way back to Fall River to work at Southcoast Health in 2022. His life story is remarkable to begin with, from his service record to taking on a new career path later than is typical. There is another way in which his life has come full circle though: when he was in Rhode Island hospital, he performed surgery to save the life of his former teacher. “And now I’m back home helping my own people,” Cobery said. “It’s just funny how life works.”

Arlene Omosefunmi: Foster mother to 250 children

Arlene Omosefunmi has dedicated decades to fostering children, and making sure even more children are fed. The Fall River resident cooked meals at the Boys & Girls Club of Fall River for more than 20 years, before becoming the cook manager at Resiliency Preparatory Academy. And over the last 23 years, she’s been a foster mother to about 250 foster children. She’s fostered children from all ages and backgrounds, including once fostering a family of six siblings so they wouldn’t be separated. “It just feels good to help someone out,” she said. Omosefunmi was honored with a ceremony in June outside Resiliency Prep in recognition of being nominated by state Rep. Carole Fiola for the Commonwealth Heroine Award.

Patti Rego and Viva Fall River celebrate city’s culture

Viva Fall River and Executive Director Patti Rego celebrated all that the city has to offer in 2022, including local businesses, traditions, the holidays, and even a specific niche of the local food scene. The Viva Fall River Pop Up Shop opened its doors 333 S. Main St. in June, with an official grand opening ceremony held in September. Rego said the shop’s mission  is to showcase the city's talent by shining "a spotlight on the local makers and craftspeople who keep Fall River’s entrepreneurial spirit alive." It’s a social and creative space where local entrepreneurs can sell their wares and gain experience to jumpstart their own businesses. Viva Fall River also sponsored the painting of three large murals celebrating the city’s culture this year, working with the Fall River Arts and Culture Coalition and nonprofit organization Beyond Walls to install them. This holiday season they also hosted a wreath-making event and 2022 even saw them putting together a self-guided meat pie tour, all as part of their mission to “elevate the profile of the city as a premier SouthCoast destination.”

A kitten called Buzz Lightyear

A lot of people around Greater Fall River reached out a hand to help their fellow human beings in 2022. But let’s not forget our four-legged friends in the Fall River community. In October, Fall River Animal Control and the Animal Rescue League of Boston helped get a young kitten out of a tight spot. Literally. The kitten had been spotted wandering around Danforth Street with what looked like a glass bowl or light fixture stuck on its head. Rescuers were able to remove the glass and bring the kitten to ARL’s center in Dedham, where she could recuperate and get ready for a new home. She also had a new nickname, thanks to looking like a tiny, fluffy astronaut: Buzz Lightyear.

Herald News/Taunton Daily Gazette copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River 2022: 'Everyday heroes' showed kindness, bravery