2008NewsArchive

Back to Previous Page

THANK YOU FOLKS!

The Foundation, our surviving families, and everyone we help this year, have been the fortunate beneficiaries of wonderful donations recently from many sources. We would like to say big thank you's to: Peet's Coffee & Tea in Berkeley, California; Running Springs Firefighter Association, Running Springs, California; Pacific Northwest Dispatchers (all over the Pacific Northwest); and the many other businesses, groups, and organizations that have recently made donations to our general fund. We could not do this work without you. Thanks!

NWSA BENEFIT AUCTION NETS LARGE DONATION
Earlier this month in Reno, the Wildland Firefighter Foundation once again received amazing support from the membership of the National Wildfire Suppression Association. The NWSA fundraises each year knowing that statistically, assistance to contract firefighters is much smaller than their agency counterparts. Over the past several years, the NWSA has strongly supported the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Their meeting falls just at the right time of year when the WFF needs support the most. Compassion truly does spread like wildfire! Thank you NWSA members!
	GET READY... GET SET... GET RECORDING!
The Wildland Firefighter Foundation, in partnership with EarthFire Productions, wants your 2008 video clips for a special fundraising DVD highlighting this years' fire season. Proceeds from the sell of this DVD will go to the Foundation. Go to this LINK to learn about submitting your clips and video formats. To pre-order the DVD, go to this LINK. Clips will be accepted throughout the year until December 15, 2008. Final product will be ready by February 1, 2009. Get ready to capture the excitement, the trials, the tribulations, the craziness, and the fun!

"One Foot in the Black" Author interview in Cal Fire Connections Newsletter.
Funds generated from the sell of this book go to the WFF!

AUTHOR SANDI AULT TO PROMOTE FOUNDATION
WHILE PROMOTING NEW BOOK "WILD INFERNO"

Wildland firefighter and Information Officer, Sandi Ault, is an accomplished author with two complete books. Her newest book is a mystery set on a wildfire burning on the border of Colorado and New Mexico. The book sells for $23.95 and the Foundation will earn up to 50% of sale proceeds. For a description and review of the book, go to this link. We appreciate Sandi's creative writing and her desire to help the Foundation - buy this book!

FOUNDATION ATTENDS MODULE LEADER CONFERENCE

The Foundation was invited to San Diego a couple weeks ago to participate in the San Bernardino National Forest Module Workshops. Lori Greeno also attended and presented to the group her message of taking care of your family in the event of an injury or fatality. Lori presented the same information last year with the Cleveland National Forest, and invited the Foundation to attend San Bernardino with her. Lori shares information drawing from her experience upon the death of her husband, John Greeno in March 2005. Vicki spent time with the wives of the firefighters many with children at home, hearing from them that through the summer they are single parents while their spouses are fighting fire. She learned their concerns and how easy it is for these families to get behind on house payments if an injury or death occurs. The wives shared they were thankful to be able to attend the meetings with their spouses, because most of them don't get that time alone.

Vicki and Burk also talked with the group about the Foundation's programs and the importance of growing the 52 Club membership program as your membership helps many more people than we could ever tell you and requests for help have increased significantly. Vicki felt she was singing to the choir because there are so many members from the San Bernardino NF on our list, many of our five year members are from San Bernardino. We felt so honored to be with the folks that helped start the USFS Honor Guard, a similar experience by the Foundation was felt as we have grown. We appreciate these folks; their support, their warmth, and their hospitality.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Cara and Rob Scott welcomed a new baby girl, Elizabeth Heather, on
December 5, 2007. This little girl is extra special as she was named after
fallen firefighter, Heather DePaolo (7/28/02) and she was born on Heather's mom's birthday. We welcome this little "fire baby" into the world!

TWO NEW BOOKS AVAILABLE IN OUR STORE
	“Angel Promises…Remembering Karen Lee,” is about Karen Fitzpatrick's untimely death in the Thirty Mile Fire. It has hundreds of pictures, including last moments of the fire, and journal notes taken from Karen's fire pack after her death. The book was put together and written by her mother, Kathie Fitzpatrick.
	"One Foot in the Black" is a novel about a determined loner, Greg Kowalski, battling both California wildfires and memories of a difficult childhood. Greg’s efforts to shake loose of his past make for a compelling, fast-paced read. Written by Kurt Kamm.
Both authors are donating proceeds from the sale of their books. The Foundation will receive all funds generated from sales on our website from Kurt Kamm's book. Kurt's home in Malibu was spared from the widespread fires late last year. He is very thankful for the hard work of the fire crews!

THANK YOU SANTA'S HELPER DONORS...
Kenneth Kempter Tandy Jenkins Mark Shiery Brent & Kris Martindale Marilyn Cockrell David Arnauckas Betty Ashe Mike Wheelock Robert & Linda Blagg AAA Mobile Showers John, JoAnn, and Ray Keener Randall Clauson Tony Duprey Molly Day Vicki Wyatt Dana Peirson Renae Crippen John Cataldo The Koval-Martin Family	Marc T Peebles Bonnie Cooper John & Mitzi Fry Suzanne Flynn Dee Burke Mr. and Mrs. Paul Burke Martin Maricle Storm King Technologies In Memory of Roger Roth Deede Vultaggio & Family Pat & Lara O'Mara David & Sharon Toepke Columbia Helicopters, Inc. Dennis Baldridge Christopher Zoller Alan & Beth Parker Michael & Tara Pipgras Mary Morgan in Honor of Todd Donahue Mr. & Mrs. Paul Burke
The Santa’s Helper Fund...One snowy holiday season there was a wonderful mother who suffered sorely for her son who lost his life fighting a wildland fire. The first Christmas her son was gone, she walked aimlessly looking for somewhere to place the money she would have spent on her son for his Christmas presents. She began to notice the bell ringers in the storefronts, so as she passed, she would drop in money. A few here, a few there, until she was satisfied that it was enough. The second season was upon her, and how she grieved without the radiant smile of her beloved son. In her anguish, she called a Foundation who she thought would know where there might be children whose fathers had lost their lives fighting wildland fires. Well as the story goes, this mother sent her son’s Christmas present money to the Foundation, and a widow with 4 little children left behind had a brighter Christmas. The Wildland Firefighter Foundation brightened up Christmas for 24 children last year. This year we have 30 children. We thank you for your kind donation to the Santa’s Helper Fund. It helps bring a light to the darkness of grief for these kids.