THANKFUL FOR OUR REAL-LIFE HEROES

Superheroes in capes fill toy aisles, top children’s Christmas lists, and fill movie theatres with new releases. But there are heroes right here in our community who don’t seek fame and don’t wear capes. Instead, they put on helmets and jackets and race into blazing buildings. In the Quad Cities, the local men and women who serve as firefighters respond to emergencies, risk their own safety, and also provide safety education to kids and citizens.

“They’re working hard everyday and saving lives,” says Jaclyn Thompson, vice president of business development at Werner. “We think they really are everyday heroes.” The holiday season is a natural time to think about gratitude – and the work of local fire departments tops the list. “We want them to know they aren’t forgotten,” Jaclyn explains. “We as a community often forget that firefighters are working on holidays and aren’t with their families.”

Throughout the year, Werner supports local firefighters in a variety of ways:

• Sponsoring a golf outing to provide funding to the Midwest Center for Safety and Rescue Training to provide important safety training to local firefighters.
• Supporting and attending countless area fundraisers – from pancake breakfasts to chicken dinners. These fundraisers help provide volunteer fire departments the necessary training and equipment to keep communities safe.
• Sponsoring the Street Fest Water Fest, to raise awareness for local fire departments.
• Delivering dozens of Thanksgiving turkeys to local fire departments for men and women working on the holiday.

Do you want to thank local fire departments on your own?

Here are a few ideas:

• Make or buy a thank-you card to send to your local fire department, thanking them for the work they do. (This is a great idea for kids!)
• Bake (or buy) cookies and deliver them to the fire station. (This is especially nice on holidays, when men and women are away from their families.)
  • Pull your car to the right of the road when you hear a siren or see a fire truck with lights on.
  •  Attend local fundraisers for your fire department – these are a vital way to raise necessary funds to keep the community safe.
  • Minimize your own risk of fires. (Check out our tips here.)

The bottom line

As everyday heroes, Quad Cities’ firefighters deserve our gratitude. They make a difference in our lives and in our community.

This holiday season, take the time to thank them in your own way.