Making grants

The WPIFF has granted a total of $29,000 to fire departments in Texas and Oklahoma in 2007.

Funds raised from the chili cook-off have already been distributed to special firefighters who we would like you to know about. Here’s how all of the generous donations have made a difference in the lives of two firefighters and their families:

Family of Bill Bunch – Miami, Oklahoma
Injured - Line of Duty
Grant $9,000
Bill Bunch of the Miami, OK Fire Department was injured on November 13, 2006 while responding to a semi-tractor trailer fire on an overpass. While working the fire, he fell from the overpass, suffering bilateral femur fractures; heel fractures; scapula, clavicle, and facial fractures; and severe brain injury. Bunch is currently in rehabilitation at the Tejas House, in Austin, TX. Some of his injuries are permanent and require him to use a wheelchair. His wife, Janet, is working to renovate their home to fit Bunch’s wheelchair as well as learn how to care for him.

Capt. Roger Crues, Elmo Volunteer Fire Department FD
Injured – Line of Duty
Grant $10,000
Capt. Roger Crues was injured while attempting to rescue a fellow firefighter who was trapped inside a burning home. Crues suffered injuries to his right arm and hand, and in the past week has undergone a successful, corrective surgery and is currently in recovery. Crues is self-employed and has no insurance. The fire department does not have injury coverage and unfortunately the homeowners insurance will not cover the accident, as volunteer firefighters fall into a contractor’s category. The WPIFF was able to assist Capt. Crues and his family by granting them $10,000 to help cover expenses of his $30,000 surgery.

During this time of year as we prepare for the holidays, we ask you to remember your local and national firefighters. THANK YOU to all who have supported the WPIFF. You make these grants possible!

If you would like to donate to the WPIFF, please visit www.wpiff.org or contact Robin Williams at robin.williams@williams-pyro.com or 817.870.8006.

Chili Cook-Off was a success, thank you!

Please accept my thanks and heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your involvement and support of this year's Stop, Drop, & Roll Chili Cook-Off. We were very successful and the event is growing each year - that is the sign of a tradition in the making.

The event hosted 2900 attendees; 33 CASI Chili Teams; 4 CASI Show Teams; 28 Novice Teams (only 21 submitted chili to the judges - the other 7 were just there to help us feed the crowd - thank you!); 15 vendor/display booths; 40+ chili judges; loads of auction goodies; 4 firefighter contest teams; and lots of new sponsors, donors, and supporters. Funds raised (including all elements of our annual campaign) were in excess of $80,000.00. This figure does not even include the value of in-kind donations from folks like Budweiser, Clear Channel, ESPN, 93.3 The Bone, Kerby Wilcox's Iron Pig BBQ, The Grapevine Fire Department, and so many others that gave of their services to help us meet our goals of supporting the fire service of this great nation.

Check out the "Click" section of the Star Telegram for photographs of the chili cook-off. You can also view more pictures taken by one of our beloved volunteers.

Thanks again, everyone!

Remembering September 11

Today is September 11, 2007, and it is hard to believe that it has been six years since the tragedy of 9/11. Many times throughout the year, our minds drift back to that day. For many of us, myself included, as the time passes, we go on about the business of life, and the tragedy six years ago starts to seem like it’s only a bad dream. We push back the emotions and memories, rush along through the day, or maybe we just don’t think about it.

But reading and watching the news today reminded me of the thousands of those who don’t go a day without thinking about 9/11. I wanted to take a moment to remember the family and friends of all of those lost on September 11, 2001.

"I think about him every single day," Bob Carlo said last week as the sixth anniversary of the terrorists' attack grew closer. "It never gets any easier. I get choked up talking about it. It's like it happened yesterday." Carlo lost his son Michael, a New York firefighter, on September 11th. Carlo said families' lives changed forever that sunny morning six years ago. "They have their memories like I have mine. My sons were best friends, not just brothers. They did everything together."

Bob Carlo is one of thousands who lost a loved one that day. And there is not a day that goes by that he does not think of his son. I know that we are told to focus on the positive in life and we know that time heals pain. But on the other hand, we sometimes do need to reflect on the past, pay homage, or simply cry. Part of that pain is what helps keep the memory of those fallen heroes alive. Just as if they were our own family, we should all take a moment of our day to appreciate the courage and bravery of all of those lost on that tragic September day. Let us not forget them.

Sadness, again

In the days just after September 11, 2001, our nonprofit Firefighters' Fund "adopted" an FDNY fire station - Engine 24 / Ladder 5 - in Greenwich Village. Members of our nonprofit were involved in fundraising and not much else for several weeks, and after collecting thousands of dollars, we went to New York to deliver grants to the 11 families of Engine 24 / Ladder 5 who lost their firefighters that terrible day. We spent time with them - crying, laughing, sharing meals and stories and hope with them. And when our time there was through, and we left New York to come back home, we knew that we left stronger than we'd been when we arrived. Six years later, not many of the original crew still work there, but this firehouse will always be a special place for us.

And now this, again - not two weeks ago, Engine 24 / Ladder 5 lost two more firefighters who died battling a fire at the former Deutsche Bank building - one of the buildings damaged in the original attacks of September 11. Robert Beddia and Joseph Graffagnino became trapped in maze-like conditions on the 14th floor of the building, which is still undergoing demolition. They suffered severe smoke inhalation and were taken to NY Downtown Hospital in cardiac arrest, where they succumbed to their injuries.

Please keep the families of these firefighters - of all firefighters - in your thoughts. Remember what they do for us, what they give to us. It is everything.

Big things are happening...

We are getting closer to the chili cook-off, and things are moving right along. We still have so much to do, but I am trying to focus on one thing at a time.

I never realized how much work went into planning events like the cook-off—for example, logistics, promotion, creating logos, writing letters for donation and auction requests, ordering t-shirts and baseball caps, and much, much more. With all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to get caught up in the tasks of making lists, phone calls, and simply prioritizing things to get done. I suppose in doing all these little tasks, we sometimes lose sight of the true purpose of our work.

Yesterday, though, I received a phone call, and it reminded me of what good things will come when we think BIG. One of the employees here requested an auction donation item from Southwest Airlines, and it was such a nice surprise when they called to let us know they were donating pair of roundtrip tickets, valued at over $800! It just goes to show that sometimes you have to think big and expect great things to happen.

With the money we raise from the silent auction, we will be able to assist an injured firefighter, provide support for his or her family, or even provide desperately needed equipment for a volunteer fire department.

There is nothing like knowing that your work has the potential to help a family or provide safety for a fire department. I think that is what drives everyone involved in the Firefighters’ Fund and why we are working to have the best chili cook-off yet!

An unforgettable experience

I want to share an experience of one my board members who brought to our attention the plight of an injured firefighter and his family from Miami, Oklahoma. The Fund was able to give a grant to Lt. Billy Bunch’s family to help with the expenses they have incurred since Lt. Bunch was severely injured on November 13, 2006. Lt. Bunch, of Miami, OK FD, fell from the overpass where he was working the fire of a semi-tractor trailer, suffering bilateral femur fractures; heel fractures; scapula, clavicle, and facial fractures; and severe brain injury. The following is my board member’s (Helen Johnson) account of presenting the grant check to the family.

“I delivered the grant check to Janet Bunch this morning (Sunday, August 5), and what a moving experience. Lt. Bunch was brought to the church in his wheelchair from the rehab center. He is so severely injured...it was heartbreaking. He cannot hold his head up; he is a quadriplegic with severe brain damage, has limited response to any stimulation, and I’m told, not aware of his surroundings. However, when I sat beside him and touched his arm and talked to him, he seemed to be aware that I was there.

Janet Bunch is a marvelous woman. She has total faith that her husband will recover. I also got to meet their 13-year old daughter, Megan. Janet was overwhelmed that a group in Texas would help her family.

The Miami, OK FD is beginning to do the necessary renovations to their house to accommodate Lt. Bunch’s wheelchair so Janet can take him home in about six weeks. Janet has been living in Austin to be near Lt. Bunch at the rehab center since February, so I’m sure this grant money will help with those expenses.

I want to say a very special thank you to WPI Firefighters’ Fund and each board member for awarding this grant to the Bunch family. Lt. Bunch is truly an American Hero, willing to make such a sacrifice in his line of duty.”

The generosity of others

Who knew how much work went into planning a chili cook-off?! Before this summer, I had no idea, but I certainly do now. But as much work as it is, it’s still a lot of fun helping to plan our upcoming Chili Cook-off & Festival.

Lately I’ve been racking my brain for potential donors who can donate to the silent auction we’ll be holding as part of the festival. I’m really been amazed at the companies such as Target, Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Best Buy, and Starbucks who all commit to giving back to the community. They all have departments created specifically to offer donations and grants and to fulfill the special requests of non-profit organizations.

It’s easy to get caught in the trap of thinking that people, and especially large corporations, will resist giving back to the community. But in asking for donations from local stores, restaurants, sports teams, and other businesses, I have realized that this is not really the case. Most are more than willing to contribute.

If you think about the work of a firefighter, they put their lives on the line every day for people they don’t even know. So when companies and individuals donate to the Firefighter’s Fund, they are contributing to those who regularly contribute to others. For me, that serves as a reminder that people out there are making a difference and giving positive contributions to their communities.