HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) – A Henrico woman is being honored for her service to the community.

Barbara Chapman, 81, regularly delivers home-cooked meals and treats to Firehouse 5 in Lakeside.

It earned her the nickname “Mama 305.”

“She means everything to me. I love Barbara,” said Lt. Travis Bowling of Firehouse 5. “So Mama 305 is a big deal for us. We’re always excited when we see her pull up. We see her red car coming up.”

Mama 305 even knows everyone’s favorite dishes, which she brings to the crew.

“I know one of them – Travis, he likes my Lebanese food. I make green beans, tabbouleh and I know he likes stuffed grape leaves,” Chapman said. “The others don’t care what it is, as long as it’s food.”

Her weekly grocery deliveries began five and a half years ago. Chapman said she suffered a diabetic emergency and firefighters from Fire Station 5 came to her aid.

“And I thought about how I could show my gratitude for saving my life. And so I decided to become a mom,” Chapman said.

“So 305 is the designation for our unit here, Engine 305,” Bowling said. “Three means it’s Henrico, five means it’s Engine Five. Of course, she became Mama 305. We had to give her her own designation.”

For Chapman, the firefighters are part of the family.

“I’ve adopted all these men. I have a daughter and two grandchildren, but they’re my boys. And my girls,” said Chapman, who is widowed. “They know I’m there for them. And that’s why I said I’ve never been loved by so many men at the same time,” she giggled. “So it’s nice. They’re wonderful. I love them. I’ll do anything in the world for them.”

Among the approximately 25 firefighters at Fire Station 5, this feeling is mutual.

Chapman’s kindness and generosity were also noted in Henrico County.

The Board of Directors honored her with a “Distinguished Community Service Medal” at a special meeting on Tuesday.

“You embody what it means to pay it forward,” Fairfield District Superintendent Rev. Roscoe D. Cooper III said in presenting the award. “You are a living example of what it means to serve others. Congratulations. Thank you for your service.”

Chapman, visibly moved, said she was surprised and touched by the gesture.

“It was wonderful. It made my heart skip a beat. It was wonderful. I will cherish it forever,” she said. “I just don’t know what to say except I love my boys and girls.”

She said she wanted more people to show their appreciation to first responders.

“If I can do it, others can too. Just show kindness to your firefighters and police officers. It works for me,” Chapman said. “If I can do something nice for them to make their day, someone else can do it, even if it’s bringing them ice cream.”

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