Rescuer Pulls for Charity

LOVETTSVILLE, Va. -- On Tuesday night, Mary Jacobson was busy chopping onions for the spaghetti she was preparing for her crew at Lovettsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue.

On Saturday morning, the blonde 5'4" volunteer will don a harness and pull a fire engine to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The event will be held at 10 a.m. in Lovettsville. "I pull for people who can't," she said. "I've been there. I know how it is to be down."

In 1995, she was diagnosed with cancer. Facing an 11 percent chance of survival, she made arrangements for someone to take her nine-year-old daughter. "I also picked out a coffin."

She was in for the fight of her life. And, fight she did. Jacobson walked out of the hospital two years later with another challenge. "The medications had attacked my body. I weighed 302 pounds, and wore a size 26."

Jacobson started working out and weight training, motivated by her friends at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base where she lived. Her new agenda included powerlifting and body building competitions.

But, she was still trying to find her niche. That came when she started competing and accumulating titles as one of the World's Strongest Women.

"You don't have to look like a body builder to be strong. I've never broken a nail," she said laughing. "I love staying in shape. It's me..."

But, Jacobson realized she wanted to do something else with her strength than collect awards and titles. That's why she started pulling vehicles to raise money for cancer research and children's causes.

"I want our future to be around longer. I get stronger by helping others, and by encouraging people to work out."

The 51-year-old has pulled an ambulance and a "pickup truck with 17 fat boys in the back." She's been practicing with the engine, and is confident she'll move it.

"Every single penny goes to charity. I make sure of that."

Jacobson also has found a new avenue, that of a volunteer firefighter and EMS provider. "I'm sure I'll do fine when I start my formal training soon."

She's enjoyed the friendships she's made since joining Lovettsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.

And, her Tuesday night crew members agree she's a great chef. They've also been helping her train for the pull.

"It's a good cause. We support her 100 percent," said Chris Foreback, the duty officer.