The Belgian draft horse’s owner and veterinarian had been trying to get Beauregard back on his feet for hours before they called for more help. Rescuers needed something capable of lifting a 2,000-pound horse safely. With no medical history of issues and nothing that appeared broken, the vet believed Beauregard would be able to stand on his own if he could be lifted onto his feet. It was the perfect opportunity for a specialized volunteer rescue company to put a recent donation to the test.
Power Lines to Lifelines
In August, REC donated a 2011 Ford F-550 crane truck to the Technical Large Animal Rescue Team at Little Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company (LFVFRC).
Before the truck received a new coat of red paint, emergency lights or Little Fork markings, it was called into service.
“The operation was flawless,” said Doug Monaco, chief of LFVFRC, which is based in Rixeyville, Va. “This vehicle saved hours of work by being able to lift him up with the hoist.”
The donation grew out of an April conversation between LFVFRC and REC.
The rescue team, which responds to incidents across Virginia and neighboring states, sometimes needs heavy equipment to safely lift large animals. Without a capable vehicle of its own, the team had to borrow a nearby tractor or use its portable tripod lifting system. But setting up the system’s three long, heavy sections of aircraft aluminum requires time and effort — both important considerations during a rescue.
“We thought we’d go to the electric company to see if they had something,” Monaco said. “Well, they came up with something even better than we thought. It fit exactly what we needed.”
REC has also donated retired fleet vehicles to fire departments, charities and other community organizations, said Mike Lee, Director – Fleet Operations. In this case, the connection was especially clear: A truck that spent more than a decade serving REC members could continue serving the region in a very different role.
“REC touches a lot of communities in our service area, but also, we’re a part of the community,” Lee said. “And that’s what community is all about — helping each other.”
Reaching New Heights
On Sept. 21, a rainy Monday, First Class Lineman Brandon Pickeral was more than 20 feet above the ground, using a bucket truck for an unusual assignment: helping harvest giant sunflowers and cornstalks. Rappahannock County grower Jason Loris had reached out to REC for assistance as he got ready for his fifth year of entering his giant vegetables, fruits and plants into competition at the State Fair of Virginia.
“The REC team did an amazing job. I couldn’t have done it without you,” Loris said after Pickeral, Service Foreman Lee Taylor and Area Serviceman Troy Jenkins joined him and Virginia Cooperative Extension volunteers in harvesting three giant cornstalks and five sunflowers that towered over his Amissville garden.
The harvest required both reach and careful handling — especially for the sunflowers, with their thin stalks and heavy, seed-bearing heads. Loris’ dedication and skill, along with the crew’s careful assistance, paid off. He set four new Virginia records at the 2026 State Fair: tallest sunflower at 25 feet, 10 inches; tallest corn stalk at 18 feet, 4 inches; longest cucumber and longest carrot.
A retired truck found a new purpose. A Co-op crew brought its skills to a remarkable harvest. Both stories show how REC’s community connections can lead to practical help in unexpected ways.
