Fire Foundation Hosts Public Awareness Day

The Marco Island Fire Foundation couldn’t have asked for a more picture-perfect day than Sunday, April 24, to introduce prospective members to the role of the Foundation and what it does in support of the men and women of the Marco Island Fire/Rescue Department.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church would throw open their doors to their community room in support of the Foundation and their mission.

The Foundation was established in 2007 to provide financial relief and establish scholarship funds for Fire/Rescue personnel and their families in addition to financial assistance in times of injuries and illness.

The Foundation is also committed to supporting fire prevention practices, as well as promoting fire safety and improving citizen awareness regarding the department and their activities.

Retired Fire Chief, Mike Murphy, would man the grills and was assisted by Retired firefighter Eric Russell for the South Metro Fire/Rescue Department in Metro Denver, Colorado. The Foundation would give out Foundation t-shirts and hats as well as meet with prospective new members of the Foundation.

The children who would turn out with their parents would also enjoy the educational bounce house and speak with firefighters regarding fire safety in their homes and what they should do if a fire might break out in their homes.

The Foundation is a 501c (3) non-profit organization so donations are tax deductible, and they hold community events such as the bi-annual pancake breakfast which is held at the headquarters station at the intersection of Bald Eagle Drive and San Marco Road. Those popular breakfast events will resume as soon as the construction on the rebuild of the fire headquarters building is completed.

Another great event is the annual Jerry Adams Chili Cookoff which is held at the Esplanade each fall. Both the breakfast fundraisers and the Adams Chili Cookoff help to fund many of the philanthropic programs which the Foundation funds.

Another supporter of the Fire Foundation Scholarship Program is through the generosity of the Island Country Club Charitable Foundation who generously donates each year to that cause.

Should you wish to join the Foundation or receive additional information as to how you might assist them in their mission, please go to www.marcoislandfirefoundation.com and simply fill out the form and someone will be more than happy to respond to you.