BY MELISSA PYLE
Special to the Telegraph
Lawtey City Councilwoman Emily Hoffman recently made a donation in the amount of $15,480 to Bradford County Fire Rescue. The donation from Hoffman comes with much admiration for those who serve to save lives and has personal significance to her own life story.
Hoffman moved to Florida in 2012, relocating from Nashville. Hoffman and her family lived in nearby Clay County until moving to Lawtey in 2017. She said she always liked to get involved as soon as they moved into a new community, and she and her husband quickly found areas they wanted to serve. He wanted to become a volunteer with the local department, but tragedy struck in 2021.
Hoffman’s husband, Scott Vaden, was killed in a crash on U.S. 301 and C.R. 218 when a large semi-truck ran into his car. On such a difficult day, rescue teams were first on the scene and Hoffman is thankful for their help in such a dark time.
Hoffman said after her husband’s tragic passing she still wanted to stay in Bradford, because she “has a heart for the community.” She continued with plans to run for city council and she succeeded. Hoffman took her place on Lawtey’s city council in 2022.
While on council, she has been entrusted to oversee the fire department for the city of Lawtey. Hoffman says that while the oversight of that department has changed some since the county is in charge of that station, she still works to attain grants and stays in close contact with those at the station in order to advocate for their needs.
She said prior to the county taking over, the volunteer station relied heavily on donations, but she wants people to realize they can still donate. Members of fire rescue are “so professional, nice and deserve to be recognized,” she said.
Hoffman backed this belief with her own funds when she donated to Bradford Fire Rescue. She knows from experience the difference they make in the lives of the people they serve. Hoffman said she wants the community to know how blessed Bradford is to have such an amazing team of people to come to the rescue and for residents support them.
