CARIBOU, Maine — As part of their Home Fire Prevention Campaign, the Red Cross is holding a benefit dinner next week to honor local firefighters.
The Friday, Oct. 30, 2015 dinner starts at 5:30 pm at the Caribou VFW on the Van Buren road, and the cost of entry is a donation to the Red Cross.
“We were brainstorming,” said Roger Felix, Commander of the Lister-Knowlton VFW 9389. “Since the Red Cross had partnered with Cary Medical Center, Job Corps, and Northern Maine Community College for the Home Fire Prevention Campaign, we came up with this is an idea to help raise funds for the Red Cross and their campaign.”
Felix will be presenting local first-responders with an American flag flown over Ground Zero in New York City.
“We also want to have an awards ceremony for our local first-responders. We really don’t think they get the recognition they deserve for putting their lives on the line and running into burning buildings, crawling under a car, and the traumatic things they see. We definitely want to support them and let them know we’re here for them.”
The recognition ceremony begins at 7 pm.
Patricia Edgecomb, president of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, is actively spreading the word about the event.
In addition, Edgecomb also presented Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County Red Cross branch manager, with a $500 check for Home Fire Preparedness as a part of their contribution for Make a Difference Day.
According to Knorr, the primary goal of the Home Fire Preparedness Program is to reduce home fire injuries and deaths by 25 percent over the next five years.
“Injuries and deaths are preventable,” said Knorr. “People have got to be proactive to ensure that their smoke alarms work, and that they have an escape plan. We’re here to help them. We’ll be installing smoke alarms wherever they need. There are certain areas that need to be protected. We always say this is a sound that can save your life and, really, you only have about two minutes to get out once your home starts burning.”
