ROGERS CITY — After last week’s ice storm, people were in need of food, water and shelter, and while staying at a warming shelter in Rogers City, a young boy took action to help others.
“He’s my miracle. And now I know why he’s my miracle,” said Jerilyn Lamrock, Ezra Banks’ Mom, “He was meant to be here for this storm. And to help out and just cheer everybody up.”
Ezra Banks is 12 years old from Rogers City. He has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism and Hirshsprung’s Disease. He went through 24 surgeries by the age of 8. During the recent ice storm events, he didn’t let any of that stop him. He stepped up to help the elderly, kids and the National Guard at the warming shelter where his family was staying.
“I got told by our Mayor, Scott Mclennon, that the National Guard would come in, and my mom decided to ask the National Guard if I was available to help,” Ezra Banks said. “They pretty much let me help from the school, fire hall to the elementary school — I helped bring cots, food and plates and all that. All the way into the school, and I just kept on doing that till they left.”
Before the National Guard left, they honored him with badges and told him he would always be a member of Squadron 119. A dream Ezra never thought he would be able to accomplish.
“It was just a total shock because we got done. I got done helping with them. And out of nowhere, one of the guys just told me that he’s one of my favorite memories and handed me one of those giant patches and that American flag, patch and so forth. It was my dream to help go into the National Guard. But with health issues, I kind of can’t.”
Ezra was also given a pin from the Red Cross and was told he is an honorary member of the Red Cross for his help. Lamrock said she is so proud of Ezra for stepping out of his comfort zone to help others.
“He’s always concerned about others. He’s always been that way. He wants everybody to be okay. And, you know, that’s what I really saw this past week in him is his compassion. And his confidence just grew. You know, he’s not one that’s a big talker, usually. And that just disappeared. He talked to everybody up there like he went to the mayor himself to find out how he can volunteer over the summer.”
With his newfound confidence, Banks said he won’t stop helping others.