12 Days of Giving: Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive

Name: The Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive

Website: www.dearbornff.org

What they're all about: For more than 40 years, the Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive has supported children who are suffering from burns and their families, but that isn’t the only mission the firefighters have when it comes to helping the community.

This week, the firefighters at area hospitals, including the University of Michigan’s Burn Center, the Oakwood Center for Exceptional Families, and the Penrickton Center for Blind Children, Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House. The toys were received mainly by children who are suffering from various ailments; they will likely spend this holiday season in the hospital.

Lt. Steve Wordon, who oversees the firefighters' charitable efforts, said the firefighters find ways to help people who may be experiencing challenges.

“For many years we’ve helped hundreds of families,” he said. “We just delivered toys to hospitals, but we try to things year-round because there are always a lot of people who need help.”

Those efforts include hosting several fundraisers–the annual raffle of a sports car yields about $35,000 in proceeds that go directly to the firefighters charitable work. Additionally, a golf outing, a pumpkin sale and several other events help pay for necessities for many families.

Some of the families were affected by house fires, but more often than not, they are experiencing problems because of the local economy. The firefighters have provided food, warm clothing–anything people need to stay afloat.

How to help: The firefighters receive the lion’s share of donated dollars directly from the community in the form of fundraisers–which means every donated dollar helps.

Wordon said he has seen the level of need go up in Dearborn; and stresses that the firefighters are doing everything they can to keep up with requests.

To help, individuals are encouraged to remember and support the year-round efforts of the firefighters, but at a more immediate level, gift cards from large stores that can be provided to people in need would be immensely helpful, Wordon said.

Gift cards, in-kind donations, checks and other donations can be made by dropping by the fire department’s station 19800 Outer Drive. Checks and gift cards can be mailed to the Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive, P.O. Box 4275, Dearborn, MI, 48126.