Abrams Firefighter asks Northeast WI to Invest In the Positive

With the recent storms across the nation and an unprecedented number of local disasters, the American Red Cross needs financial support and Rick Race, Assistant Chief and Training Officer with the Abrams Fire Department, is one of many stepping up to help. Last year the local firefighter and the Abrams Fire Department joined the Firefighters’ Bucket Brigade to Benefit the American Red Cross as several fire departments asked their neighbors to invest in the positive.

The Abrams Fire Department was the only fire department with a collection site at a gas station and they took advantage of their unique location by pumping gas to increase donations. This year Abrams Fire Department is offering its support again and so is Race.

He will be assisting both  WBAY’s Heartbreak to Hope Telethon on Tuesday, May 24 and The Firefighters’ Bucket Brigade to Benefit the American Red Cross on Thursday, May 26 in an effort to ask the community to come to the aid of the American Red Cross so it can ensure programs that help individuals and families in times of disaster are appropriately funded.

Last year, we asked the Abrams Firefighter a few questions to learn why he supported the important fundraiser. Race has been a volunteer fire fighter in Northeast Wisconsin for 14 years. The first ten were with the Village of Howard Fire Department and now he is with the town of Abrams Fire Department.

When did you know you wanted to be a firefighter?About 14 years ago, after talking to a friend about his experience with the Howard fire department.

What do most people not know about your job? The amount of hours of training it takes to be a volunteer fire fighter.

What are you most proud of? The fact fact that I give back to the community by being there when they need me. Also, the training we do in the local grade school.

Why are you volunteering to participate in the Firefighters’ Bucket Brigade? The Red Cross is always there when we call for the victims and for us so its my way of giving back for all they do.

What have you learned about the Red Cross by working with them? That there is a lot more going on behind the scene than anyone knows. Like the amount of time the volunteers put in to help people they don’t even know.

Who’s your Hero? And why? My dad, For teaching me to be a person and helping when needed.

Watch for Rick Race on WBAY’s Heartbreak to Hope Telethon. You will also find Rick Race and our other heroes at  the Firefighters’ Bucket Brigade for the American Red Cross on  May 26, 2011 – 4p.m.-7p.m.  

For more information and a list of Bucket Brigade locations across northeast Wisconsin, please visit http://www.newredcross.org.

Invest in the positive. Indulge in helping others