On Sept. 30, Butch and Cathy Hampton will receive one of the highest honors the Salvation Army can bestow upon a civilian.
The “Others Award” goes to those who have demonstrated service to others that goes far beyond what is expected, according to Lt. Elaine Mansoor of the Prescott Salvation Army.
She says the Hamptons and their business, the Hampton Funeral Home, came up immediately when everyone sat down to decide who should get the award. “The award is not given every year,” she said.
The couple is being recognized for their heart in the days following the deaths of the 19 Granite Mountain Firefighters who perished in a fire last summer. “They worked tirelessly in the days and weeks after the incident and even if they did not hold the services, they helped with arrangements,” Mansoor said.
Cathy Hampton arranged for the 19 white hearses that brought each of the firefighters from Phoenix to Prescott. “I hear that one of the Hot Shot’s father and mother will be at the ceremony,” on Sept. 30, said Mansoor. “I’m going to need Kleenex all around here.” The event will be held at Prescott Lakes with Prescott Fire Department Division Chief, Darrell Willis as the keynote speaker. Willis said he will speak about his own experience with the Salvation Army.
“Their motto is ‘Doing the most good,’ and I have some personal testimonials from an emergency responder’s point of view.”
Willis was the founder of the Granite Mountain Hot Shots and he will recall how the Salvation Army was supportive during that tragedy. He says he also saw them working in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and in the Wendon floods about 10 years ago.
During the awards ceremony, the Hamptons will receive a plaque in the shape of the Salvation Army Shield. The nine-piece brass band for which the Army is famous will play at the event.
“It’s very humbling to me and my wife, but the accolades should go to everyone who stepped up to help,” said Butch Hampton. “I may have taken the lead to get things going in the right direction, but it was not by my efforts alone.”
He said that help “came out of the woodwork,” every step of the way. “When we called out for things, people would just step forward,” he said. “The outpouring was tremendous. It was good people helping good people.”
The Hampton Funeral Home was founded by Butch’s father in 1956. Butch joined his father in 1970s. He and Cathy continue to own and operate the funeral home.
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