Community Corner

Montgomery Township Firefighters' Union Raising Money for Breast Cancer Awareness

The International Association of Firefighters Local 4890 and Fire Department of Montgomery Township are teaming up in October to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research.

Firefighting is going pink in Montgomery Township next month.
The International Association of Firefighters Local 4890—the Montgomery Township career firefighters' association—will be raising funds for the American Cancer Society in Blue Bell and spreading the word all October about breast cancer awareness.
Its fundraising goal—$5,000.
"The IAFF started this initiative several years ago: They want local affiliaties in the United States and Canada to do community-style fundraising for breast cancer awareness," said IAFF Local 4890 President Robert Hedden.
All proceeds collected will go to the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" campaign.
"One-hundred perecnt of money raised through sales, the cancer walk or donations is going to go for local application of breast cancer awareness," Hedden said.
The IAFF Local 4890 is partnering with Fire Department of Montgomery Township in the fundraising campaign, operating collectively as Team 18.
"In looking at it," Hedden said, "we operate with these guys on a daily basis and we did research about other combination fire departments that have used the relationship with volunteers to do this together. That's how FDMT fits in." 
The partnership also satisfies the team's goal of "One Department One Mission."
"This motto applies not only to our daily collective task of providing fire protection to the residents, visitors and businesses of Montgomery Township, but also to our joint community fundraising activity on behalf of the American Cancer Society," Hedden said. 
Throughout October, Team 18 will be selling breast cancer awareness T-shirts at various community events—like FDMT's Oct. 12 open house for Fire Prevention Week—and accepting donations via its American Cancer Society page at this link.
"We are getting the shirts this week," Hedden said, "and actively start promoting the shirts via our Facebook page. FDMT will sell shirts through their page and at the station. We will work side by side with FDMT to go to community events and hand out breast cancer awareness literature." 
FDMT Chief Bill Wiegman said Team 18 will move collectively from the fire department to the community to help fight cancer.
"Cancer has touched and impacted many of the members of our fine department, and together, with the association, we will work hand and hand to support our community and the ACS," Wiegman said.
The fundraising effort culminates on Oct. 26 at the American Cancer Society "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" Walk at Norristown Farm Park.
"We're optimistic that we're going to do this every year," said Hedden. "This is something that's been building momentum on the national and international level."
To donate to the cause, visit the Team 18 American Cancer Society page here.
To purchase a shirt through FDMT, visit its site here.
To purchase a shirt through IAFF Local 4890, visit its site here.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here