Firefighters assisting families through annual fundraiser
Published: January 24, 2006
When it comes to helping those in dire situations, firefighters have many tools in their arsenal: trucks, hoses, axes and … bowling balls?
On Sunday, more than 14 teams - including representatives from six regional fire stations - came together at SI Bowl to raise money for the Southern Illinois Fire Relief Fund, which helps local victims who experience a “total loss” because of a home fire. The purpose of the organization is to assist families with immediate needs by providing between $150 and $250.
Tim Carter, president of SIFRF, said his organization works through local fire chiefs, since they are the ones on the scene of a fire and know what type of destruction has occurred.
“This money isn’t for people who lost a shed or a garage in a fire - these funds are for people who have lost everything,” Carter said Sunday.
Vicki Gower, SIFRF board member and former president, said the idea for the organization came together after she was contacted by Z100 radio personalities Juli Ingram and Kent Zimmer, who would receive a barrage of phone calls from people wanting to assist local fire victims. Gower, who was an active fund raiser for St. Jude’s Hospital, was on board to create the non-profit and hasn’t looked back.
“It is amazing a simple gift card can do so much,” Gower said. “When you give something so basic to someone who has lost their entire home they look at it as a God send. Just to buy the simple things - a pair of underwear, even - means so much when you have nothing.”
The SIFRF was established in January 2003, and serves the southern 17 counties of Illinois. It is not uncommon in Southern Illinois for families to have no insurance, therefore they literally have nothing after the fire.
Ingrim, a SIFRF board member, was out from behind the microphone and on the bowling lanes Sunday. She said she was thrilled to see how much the annual event has grown - from 8 teams the first year, to 14 tems this year.
Now in its third year, Bowl for Charity was expected to raise approximately $2,500 for SIFRF, Carter said.
“Firefighters are good people. They raise money and they have fun,” he added. “You can’t beat ‘em.”
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