Plymouth Fire Department launches Project Fire Buddies Program, raffles truck to support critically ill children

Career and volunteer members of the Plymouth Fire Department have launched a Project Fire Buddies Program for their response area, which includes Plymouth, Center, and West Townships.

Project Fire Buddies is a national organization that partners with fire departments to offer support for critically ill children and their families, bringing comfort, fun, and companionship. When a child is facing an intense battle with a critical illness, a quick visit to their home brings an abundance of joy through the program. The organization can also provide as much assistance as possible, including funds for medical equipment or even improvements to the home.

Project Fire Buddies provides gifts multiple times a year — not just to their buddy but to the entire family — along with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. After their initial visit, the firefighters don't stop there. They continue to build those bonds through multiple visits over time.

The Plymouth Fire Department recently became a certified Project Fire Buddies Chapter and is required to host a minimum of one fundraiser per year. This year, the Blueberry Beast Weightlifting Competition on Saturday and Sunday at the front of Centennial Park serves as one of their fundraisers — but the firefighters didn't want to stop there.

They partnered with Oliver Ford Lincoln in Plymouth and will be raffling off a 2014 Nissan Frontier SV.

Tickets are $20 each and are available at Oliver Ford Lincoln, the Plymouth Fire Department, and Fit Stop. All members of the Plymouth career and volunteer Fire Department are selling tickets, and the truck will be on display at the Blueberry Festival near the skate park this weekend.

For more information, call Aaron Wagers at 574-780-1584.