Pierce-Polk Volunteer Fire Department honored with Crusade for Children's Walton Memorial Trophy

Terry Meiners presenting the Walton Memorial Trophy to the Pierce-Polk Volunteer Fire Department on WHAS11's "Great Day Live" show.

The Pierce-Polk Volunteer Fire Department has been recognized for its outstanding fundraising efforts, earning the Walton Memorial Trophy from the WHAS Crusade for Children. The award honors the fire department showing the greatest percentage increase in collections over the previous year’s total.

Representatives from Pierce-Polk received the award live on WHAS11’s “Great Day Live” show on Thursday morning, October 16. WHAS personality Terry Meiners presented the trophy, announcing that the department had nearly tripled its previous year’s total: an impressive increase of almost 200 percent.

During the segment, the group discussed the department’s long tradition of participation in the Crusade, as well as New Pekin’s historic Fourth of July celebration, an annual highlight in Washington County that Pierce-Polk helps make possible through its community involvement.

The moment was also marked with a note of sadness, as the department mourned the recent loss of Donna Miller, mother of Chief Jeffrey Miller and wife of former Chief Scott Miller, who devoted decades of service to the department and to Crusade for Children.

Donna Miller. Photo shared by Pierce-Polk Volunteer Fire Department.

In a previous interview with The Washington County Times, Chief Miller reflected on the department’s enduring commitment to the Crusade for Children:

“The department has been doing this for longer than I’ve been alive,” Miller said. “I’ve been with Pierce-Polk Fire Department for going on 31 years now, but I’ve been collecting since I was a lad. I used to help some of the department members collect back in the day when my dad was involved. He had been in it for a long time…”

He also highlighted why the cause continues to mean so much to the community.

“A lot of kids go to Norton Children’s Hospital and their families never see a bill because it’s 100% funded by Crusade for Children,” he said. “Also, the Pekin Fire Department was one of the first departments in Indiana to start collecting for this.”

The WHAS Crusade for Children, established in 1954, supports children with special needs across Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Its mission is to “make life better for children with identified health care, educational, and emotional wellness needs by inspiring generosity with our community partners.” Every penny donated goes directly to help children, as 100% of each donation benefits those in need.

Pierce-Polk’s achievement reflects not only record-breaking generosity, but also the department’s deep community roots and longstanding commitment to service – a tradition passed down through generations of volunteers.

To donate to Crusade for Children, click here.