It’s always good to see communities come together when one of their own is in need. The way that folks in St. Clairsville have rallied for police officer Greg Clark is a shining example of that.

Clark recently was life-flighted to WVU Medicine Ruby Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia, after suffering a medical emergency while on patrol. St. Clairsville Police Chief Matt Arbenz told city council this week that he, recreation director Eric Gay and Mayor Kathryn Thalman are organizing a steak fry benefit to help Clark and his family with his recent medical bills. That benefit is schedule for 4-11 p.m. May 16.

The group is putting together the steak fry and an outdoor concert, while former Belmont County Sheriff Dave Lucas will provide a fireworks show that night through his business.

“Planning an event like this is typically not something that anybody wants to do, but it came together so easily because everybody is eager to help,” Arbenz said. “Officer Clark has got a lot of goodwill garnered in this community, and he deserves it.”

Our public safety officers do so much to keep us safe each day, often putting their lives on the line to do so. It’s important that, when one of those officers needs help themselves, the community does what it can to help them.

Everyone involved with the event has said how easy it has been to put it together, as so many in the St. Clairsville community and beyond have reached out to see what they can do to help.

That says a lot about Clark, and is also says a lot about the St. Clairsville community.