| Chief Ronald Siarnicki registering to donate at the Sperian Fire booth at FDIC |
Sperian Fire has announced a unique program at FDIC 2009 to boost support for families of fallen firefighters, donating a combined $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation (CFFF) in a grassroots effort to increase awareness and support for these foundations. It is the largest charitable donation in Sperian Fire's history.
"Even with the economy down, we can't desert the people who protect us all," said Bill Sokol, Vice President Marketing for Sperian Fire. "At Sperian we decided to take the money we normally spend to ship, assemble, dismantle and return our large FDIC exhibit booth - roughly $100,000 US - and use it for a donation to help the families of fallen heroes."
In a unique twist, the donation will not be made in Sperian Fire's name, but rather in the names of any United States and Canadian firefighters who take a moment to sign the donation registry at www.sperianfire.com. Registrants have an opportunity to offer a few words of encouragement or make their donations in memory of individual fallen comrades.
Begun at FDIC 2009 and continuing through June 30, Sperian Fire will be collecting names from participating members of the firefighting community to present with the final donation checks to the two organizations. The donor names will not be used for any sales purpose.
"We felt this was a great opportunity to help firefighters get personally involved in showing their support for this important cause without actually asking them for a donation," Sokol said. "Instead, we're putting up the money to give in their names."
As Sokol spoke, firefighters lined up at the Sperian Fire booth to sign the registry. Without its usual imposing booth structure, the Sperian Fire exhibit itself was a simple affair. That was all right with Sokol, who said the families of fallen firefighters need help a lot more than Sperian Fire needs its exhibit booth this year.
"This is a wonderful, thoughtful, and very much appreciated effort," said Chief Ronald Siarnicki, Executive Director of the NFFF, as he registered to make his donation in honor of "some fallen friends who will always remain in my thoughts and prayers."
"I can't remember ever receiving so much support," added Captain Robert Kirkpatrick of Mississauga, Ontario, President of the CFFF. "Every fighter should go to the Sperian Fire site and register. We in the firefighting community need to show our support for companies willing to help us. It will take less than two minutes to show that support."
"We're very excited about this online donation program," said Anne Chambers, Channel Manager for Sperian Fire. "We hope to build a grassroots, word-of-mouth campaign that directly engages firefighters and raises greater awareness and support for the fallen firefighter foundations.
After the Sperian Fallen Firefighters Program concludes June 30, donation checks will be presented at ceremonies in July.
You can learn more about the donation and check on the latest news about Sperian and the Fallen Firefighters Foundation at www.sperianfire.com.