Powhatan resident Phil White has a special place in his heart for Fire/Rescue volunteers. He credits a group of them with saving his life, or at least his leg, several years ago when he was run over by a small bulldozer.

“They were on the scene in what seemed like minutes to me,” White said. “I’m not sure what I would have done without them,” he added.

That incident prompted White to do something to help Fire and Rescue volunteers in Goochland County. As the owner and operator of Patriot Motorsports 2 in the Courthouse, White contributed what he had the most of — an all terrain vehicle.

“I think people should do what they can to help. We don’t think of the importance of the services the volunteers provide until we really need them, “ said White, who runs the local business with his son, also Phil, and his wife Janet.

White, IV and V, decided to donate a new child friendly ATV to the Ladies Auxiliary of Company 5 in the Courthouse. They plan to raffle off the vehicle later in the summer to raise money for operating costs.

“We were trying to come up with a way to help the county,” White said. “The rescue volunteers seemed like the perfect place to start. Let’s face it, times are hard for everybody and they have equipment to maintain and upkeep costs,” he added.

White said he was also prompted by news reports that told of charges being levied by some volunteer fire departments to cover their costs. “I think it should up to the community to make sure those services are available,” he said.

White’s son and partner in the business, said they recognized the need and contributed what seemed like an appropriate.

“We don’t have the time to volunteer, but we did have a bike we could donate to help them out,” Phil said. “We figured if they could donate their time for free, we could donate the bike,” he added.

The pair chose a child friendly Hawk 110 cc ATV for the donation. It is equipped with a remote kill switch allowing parents to shut the vehicle off from a distance. It also features a full governor and foot brakes.

“It’s basically for kids and is loaded with safety features,” the younger Phil said.

Patriot Motorsports 2 celebrates their one-year anniversary in the county July 1. “We love it here,” the elder White said. “The people are so friendly and we haven’t had one negative person since we’ve been open,” he added.

White said he feels a civic responsibility to do what he can to make sure the Rescue Services get the support they need.

He urges his fellow citizens to do the same.

“If things are going well and you’re making it, give what you can.”

For more information on the raffle, contact the Ladies Auxiliary at Company 5.