Oregon firefighters putting out wildfires across the state have a new "force" on their team: a plush (绒毛) Baby Yoda doll. It has become a symbol of hope and joy among the firefighters. They have been tirelessly fighting the big wildfire since early September. The fire has killed at least nine firefighters.
It all began when five-year-old Carver and his grandmother found the plush toy at home while searching for something to donate (捐赠) to Oregon firefighters.
The toy, along with a note saying, "Thank you, firefighters. Here is a friend for you if you get lonely. Love, Carver," was handed to donation site on September 12, 2020. "We were all really moved that Carver wanted to give a companion to the men and women who were risking their lives to fight the wildfires." says a volunteer Tyler Eubanks.
Eubanks took the toy to a group of firefighters working to put out the fire in Colton, Oregon. At the beginning, she planned to take a few pictures of the Baby Yoda in action for Carver, and then bring back the toy to the donation site. However, the firefighters decided to hold on to the doll and share it to lift the spirits of firefighters across the state and also those fighting fires in Colorado.
"He's been a really big encouragement," said Drake, a firefighter. "It just really meant a lot to us, and it was really emotional for a lot of people."
It's not just the firefighters that are finding comfort in the doll. "Baby Yoda Fights Fires," a Facebook page Eubanks set up to record the toy's adventures as it spreads through different people, has won over 50,000 fans, many of whom look forward to the daily updates.
"Because of all these photos, people are now seeing the human faces behind the wildfires," Eubanks said in excitement. "The attention is giving firefighters a huge encouragement, which is something that's really needed right now."
