Ron Mahan was driving home from a 10-hour work shift earlier this month when he noticed black smoke rolling ahead of him.

Just wrapping up a 10-hour shift as a plan engineer in Valencia, he easily could have called 911 and kept going. A Forward Township couple is glad he stopped to check it out.

The homeowner had burned some leaves and thought he had made sure they were out before he left to go hunting. The leaves rekindled and caught his attached garage and carport on fire.

Mahan and another motorist made U-turns and returned to the burning garage and carport. Mahan told the other motorist to pound on the single-story home’s door and yet another person on the scene to call 911.

Mahan grabbed a garden hose and began dousing the fire as best he could.

A former volunteer firefighter with Evans City Volunteer Fire Department, Mahan knew just where to direct the stream of water, inadequate though it was, to try and hold off major flames until firefighters arrived.

He was on scene for 40 minutes and waited as firefighters doused the flames.

“We would have lost a lot more,” homeowner Scott Cukovich said of Mahan’s decision to stay and try to put out the flames. “I’m totally grateful. With all the things going on in this world, you’d think people wouldn’t be so nice, but there’s some nice ones out there.”

In a day and age where many Americans focus solely on their own wants and needs, Mahan’s traditional thinking is extremely refreshing. Having the intent to help is good, but acting on that intent is much better.

Kindness begets kindness, and there's no better way to demonstrate goodness and decency than to lend a hand when someone needs it the most.

“That’s the whole problem with the world anymore,” said Mahan, a 1980 Seneca Valley graduate. “I’m committed to helping anyone, especially someone in need.”

We need more people like Ron Mahan in our community.

— JGG