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.

First Responder of the Month - Ryan Cooper

In the midst of sorrow, we often find reason to be thankful. For instance, just last week, what should have been a quick flight turned into tragedy. A small plane headed from Daytona Beach to central Florida crashed into two homes, killing five people. Both people aboard the plane died, along with a woman and two children in the homes. Still, many are thankful for the hero who was there that day—Ryan Cooper.

Ryan was the firefighter who ran into the burning homes—without an air pack—and pulled a 10-year old boy and his father to safety. Incredibly, Ryan was off-duty that day but happened to be standing in his driveway when the crash occurred right down the street. Amid the smoke inhalation and disorientation, he was able to rescue two residents who are forever grateful for his incredible heroism.

USA Today says that Ryan prefers not to be called a hero, saying he “did what any firefighter would do…everybody that goes to work, every 24 hours, at every fire station across the country, it's their job to do it.” Even so, we salute Ryan Cooper for his heroic efforts, and we recognize his amazing courage and selflessness.

A reminder to give back

For the past week, I have been mailing letters to solicit donations. I wonder what people’s reactions will be when they first read these letters. I imagine many of them will automatically think of the recent fire in Charleston that claimed the lives of nine firefighters, the nation’s deadliest single disaster for firefighters since the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Isn’t it odd that just as we’re asking for donations to help firefighters, these nine heroes died?

We’ll never know why such tragedies happen. But we do know that the families and friends of those who were close to the nine firefighters will never be the same.

I hope that people will view the Fund as a way to help and to give back to those who have sacrificed for us. Perhaps our donation letter will reach people when they are thinking about our nation’s firefighters; maybe some will donate this time around when they have not in the past.

Although we cannot take back what happened that day, perhaps it will make us all appreciate our firefighters who risk their lives every time they walk into a burning building. Perhaps people will give a little more to our firefighters this year just to say, “We support you, we honor you, and we thank you for all that you have done.”

A salute to the Fire Fighters' Pension Commissioner of Texas

Fire Fighters' Pension Commissioner Ms. Lisa Ivie Miller is a long time supporter of the fire service and has displayed her loyalty by choosing an occupation that is all about taking care of our fire service in the state of Texas. Her appointment will expire soon and I could not let the opportunity pass to congratulate her.

I am proud to have her on my Board of Directors of the WPI Firefighters’ Fund. I can always go to Lisa for advice, inspiration, and a good measure of common sense about the best way to handle the business of our non-profit.

On behalf of the firefighters, here’s to you, Lisa Ivie Miller, on a job well done! I look forward to many more years with you on my Board. You have been such an asset to the development, planning, and consistent progression of our organization.

Hi, I'm Kelli, a new team member...

I am new to the WPI Firefighters' Fund and very excited to be involved in its third annual Chili Cook-Off! Working for its corporate sponsor, I am lucky enough to have a job where I get the chance to help organize events that help others.

One thing I have already realized is that a lot of work goes into organizing these events! It is June and our chili cook-off is not until October, but we are already making flyers, sending invitations, and lining up vendors and advertisers.

This past Saturday I attended a chili cook-off in Dallas, and although it was a hot summer day, that did not stop the chili fanatics from coming out. Everyone seemed very excited about attending our upcoming cook-off, so I really do hope to see them there.

On a side note, although I always had a huge amount of respect for our nation’s firefighters, I am in awe of just how much they do for us. I was astounded to learn that many of them are actually volunteers. I recently read a quote that said, “Most people want to get away from trouble. When you’re a public servant, you’re going toward trouble.” We should all feel grateful to have these firefighters risking their lives and offering their time to help others.

I am proud to take part in the Fund and help organize this year’s Chili Cook-Off, and am looking forward to the event!