Our local firefighters are not just saving lives by responding to fires and emergencies; they are also fighting to save the lives of those affected by breast cancer. Once again, members of the Pocatello Fire Fighters Union, IAFF local 187 is selling specially designed pink T-shirts to raise awareness and support all those who have been touched by this disease.
“This is our chance to give back to the community and show our support,” said firefighter Eric Anderson. “This is our sixth-year for the T-shirt fundraiser. This program means a lot to the firefighters and their families. All the shirts are purchased and distributed with donations from our firefighters and their families. We wear are proud to wear the t-shirts and show our support.”
All proceeds from the T-shirt sold by the Pocatello Fire Department are donated to the Breast Cancer Awareness Fund within the Portneuf Health Trust to help provide free mammograms to women in southeastern Idaho. Last year this program raised more than $2,000.
“All our members and firefighters are wearing the pink shirts on Friday and Saturdays,” Anderson said. “They are our official uniforms during the month. We welcome everyone in the community to join us.” As the T-shirt fundraiser changes and grows each year, the T-shirt designs change too.
“Each year our shirts have featured a different design. This year we sort of went back to the basics,” Anderson said. “Alston at Alston Ink donated his time this year to help design our shirts.” To date, the firefighters have sold over 200 shirts to the public and more than 100 within the department. “We are still going strong with our sales,” Anderson said. If you are interested in purchasing a shirt, they are on sale at Fire Station 1, 408 E. Whitman, next to Albertsons in Pocatello. The shirts are $20 each and every penny raised goes to support breast cancer and raise awareness.