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!