Dearborn Firefighters Raise $15,000 for Westland Firefighter's Family

DETROIT – Hundreds of hockey fans opened their purses and wallets on Thursday to help the Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive raise money for firefighter Brian Woehlke's family.

The Dearborn firefighters teamed up with the Detroit Red Wings to "fill a boot" before the fourth game of the NHL Western Conference semi-finals between the Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks at the Joe Louis Arena.

For 90 minutes, firefighters, clad in their Class A dress uniforms, collected $11,529 for Woehlke's family by holding out their boots to fans attending the game.

As part of the fundraising effort, Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg vowed before the game to match donations up to $3,500. In addition, two other fans in attendance each pledged to send $1,000 to the firefighters fund.

Woehlke, a 29-year-old Dearborn resident and firefighter with the Westland Fire Department, died while fighting a fire on May 8.

The Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive previously donated $5,000 to Woehlke’s family, and is planning several fundraisers, including an event on June 15 at Buffalo Wild Wings, 22216 Michigan Ave.

Kenwal Steel is also donating a gift package that can be bid on until June 19. The winner will receive an 18-hole round of golf for four, lunch and dinner at Dearborn Country Club; four box seat tickets behind home plate for the Detroit Tigers’ game against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park; and two rooms at MotorCity Casino Hotel.

Bids can be placed by calling Dearborn firefighter Steve Worden at 313-478-6761.

Double Olive in Dearborn will continue to collect donations for the "fill a boot" campaign throughout the weekend. Firefighter boots will be placed at the bar for patrons to donate.

Donations to the Brian Woehlke fund can also be sent to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity, P.O. Box 851320, Westland, MI 48185, or may be delivered to any of five Wayne-Westland fire stations.