Mazeppa Engine Co. No. 2 members have been raising money to fight cancer since about last summer, and on Tuesday morning they presented the American Cancer Society with a check for $2,500.
The idea to raise money for the program was brought up and organized by Sari Seidman, one of the firefighters with the company.
“My dad had cancer for about 20 years, and I just thought this was a nice way to not only honor him, but raise money for a good cause,” she said.
The company sold pink t-shirts where the front had a picture of a cancer ribbon, but done with a fire hose, and said “Real heroes wear pink.” They sold the t-shirts for $15 at two Nyack Street Fairs last year, as well as took the shirts around and sold them individually. At the Oct. 9 street fair, the company a pink fire truck that was donated to the non-profit Guardians of the Ribbon Northern New Jersey chapter and travels around to promote cancer awareness. Cancer survivors signed the truck.
“It was really great we were able to bring the pink truck in,” Seidman said. “I think it was something nice for all of us to see, and it was really great for the survivors who got to sign it.”
Jim Hartwick, vice president of the company, said they originally ordered about 400 shirts, but had ordered a few more since then in extra sizes. He said they still have about 60 left.
Seidman said she’s not sure of the next step for the company’s fundraising. She said she thinks they’ll sell shirts again this year at the street fairs. She said she’s also going to bring up the possibilities of raising money through a motorcycle ride or a walk as well.
Seidman, Hartwick, Stephen Looser, company commissioner, and Bubba Lennerton, a firefighter with the company, presented their check to Maggie Lucien, director of special events for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk event, and Jennifer Muir, director of special events for the Hudson Valley Region's American Cancer Society.
“Last year in Rockland we served more than 600 people with cancer,” Lucien said. “We wouldn’t be able to help so many people without the generosity of people and groups like this one.”
