Community continues to put arms around first responders, families
Community members continue to wrap their arms around the first responder community and each other following Sunday's devastating events that claimed the lives of Coeur d'Alene Fire Battalion Chief John Morrison and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and seriously injured Coeur d'Alene Fire Engineer David Tysdal.
208 Ministries has announced a $25,000 matching donation for each firefighter's families. This initiative will double the impact of every dollar donated, ensuring vital financial support for the families of the fallen firefighters and the injured hero in recovery.
"We are committed to standing with our community during this time of grief,” said Jordan Redman, founder of 208Ministries. “These brave firefighters put their lives on the line for us, and now it’s our turn to lift up their families.”
The Citizens Alliance of Idaho has contributed $3,000 to this cause.
Contribute directly at 208ministries.org. Contact 208Ministries at dave@208companies.com or follow on social media for details.
The Greater Coeur d’Alene Community Foundation and Idaho Community Foundation have established a special fund to address the evolving needs of the community in the days ahead. Grants from the fund will be directed to the Red and Blue Foundation, which has long supported injured and fallen firefighters and law enforcement officers in Kootenai County.
“This is what community foundations are here for,” Heidi Rogers, vice chair of the board of directors of the Idaho Community Foundation, said in a Tuesday news release. “We work with generous Idahoans across the state who want to make a difference in moments of crisis and care. The fund established by GCCF gives people a way to help, grounded in trust and local leadership.”
Info: greatercoeurdalenecommunityfoundation.org
Other ways people can offer their support.
Cascadia Pizza Co. will give 100% of proceeds from sales on July 10 to support the families of the fallen firefighters. Locations are 1422 W. Appleway Ave., Coeur d'Alene, and 8083 W. Main Street, Rathdrum.
The Red and Blue Foundation
• Go to https://buy.stripe.com/6oU14m1J24LOdQiguwfAc11 to support the Morrison family.
• Go to https://buy.stripe.com/4gM5kCevObacfYq1zCfAc12 to support the Harwood family.
• Go to https://buy.stripe.com/4gMfZg3Ra0vy3bE3HKfAc10 to support the Tysdal family.
JW Memorial Foundation
Visit jwmfidaho.com to donate through the Jeff Welch Memorial Foundation — 100% of proceeds go toward the mission of helping fallen emergency responders' families.
First Interstate Bank
Donations can be made in person at any First Interstate Bank branch. Just ask to contribute to the Fund for Fallen Firefighters.
Relentless Defender Apparel has also partnered with the Red and Blue Foundation and a local firefighter created a memorial T-shirt for Harwood and Morrison. All proceeds will go directly to their families. Info: relentelessdefender.com
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Send information about fundraising, support, compassion and community strength following the Canfield Mountain tragedy to Devin Weeks, dweeks@cdapress.com.