Firefighters continue collection efforts, plan barbecue

Northern Nevada firefighters raised around $176,000 in two days to benefit New York's fallen rescuers.

The Carson City Fire Department will host a barbecue Sunday hoping Carson residents will contribute even more to the cause, while firefighters will continue their collection efforts in the area today.

East Fork Firefighter and Paramedic District brought their two-day collection total to just over $112,000, adding $56,000 Friday.

"We can't believe it," said Chris Lucas, an East Fork firefighter paramedic. "It's just amazing how giving people have been. For the most part, they've been thanking us. I think it gives the community a feeling they're helping."

Carson City firefighters added roughly $34,000 on Friday to the $9,000 they collected Thursday, bringing their total to around $43,000.

Nevada Division of Forestry firefighters garnered $30,000 at three locations on Friday.

"It felt absolutely great," NDF Firefighter Brian Bunn said. "People poured their hearts out. We all feel we're high up on a cloud right now."

Passing the firefighter boot in the area has become a common sight the last few days, and all money collected in both counties will benefit the families of firefighters killed during Tuesday's terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The first to arrive at the scene of the tragic attack, an estimated 300 firefighters, paramedics and police officers were reported missing after the towers collapsed.

Sunday, the Carson City Fire Department will host a donation-only barbecue from noon to 5 p.m. at Mills Park, said Bob Schreihans, president of the Carson City Firefighters Association. Again, all money collected will benefit New York's fallen.

"People should come to the barbecue to show their support of the fallen police officers, firefighters and civilians," Schreihans said.

Schreihans stressed while numerous people and organizations are trying to raise money for victims of the terrorist attacks, area residents should be skeptical of people going door to door trying to collect money for a cause. The Carson firefighters are the only group in the capital collecting for New York firefighters. If someone collecting doesn't ask to have checks made out to the Carson City Firefighters Association, or who lacks a firefighter identification, they're not collecting money related to the firefighters efforts, Schreihans said.

Carson firefighters will again be posted at Kmart and Wal-Mart collecting money, but money can be given to any uniformed firefighter. Just look for the fire trucks or ambulances, Schreihans said.

Dayton residents can contribute to the cause through the Central Lyon Fire Department. The department, in conjunction with Carson firefighters, will have a boot set up for donations at Dayton Valley Days. Also, firefighter boots are set up at Smith's in Dayton at each check-out lane for donations. All money raised in Dayton will be funneled to New York with Carson firefighters' money.

NDF firefighters will continue to pass the boot at the Galena Raley's and the Target and Home Depot stores in South Carson City. The group also has a bank account established at Nevada State Bank under FDNY/NDF Benevolent Fund.

There will also be a donation bottle at the Chevron at Mica Drive and U.S. 395.

What: Carson City Fire Department Barbecue for New York

When: noon to 5 p.m., Sunday

Where: Mills Park, Williams St.

For information, call the Carson City Fire Department at 775-887-2210 .

What: New York Firefighters Relief Efforts

Stop by: Scolari's, 1329 Highway 395 in Gardnerville; Kmart, 3456 N. Carson St. and Wal-Mart, 4209 S. Carson St. Dayton Valley Days, Target or Home Depot, 910 Jacks Valley Road and the Galena Raley's, 18144 Wedge Parkway.

Mail donations to: Carson City Fire Department, 777 S. Stewart St. or East Fork Firefighter and Paramedic District, P.O. Box 218, Minden, Nev., 89423

Money for the East Fork relief efforts can be deposited directly at Bank of America, account no. 004964150966

Money for the Carson City firefighter relief efforts can be deposited at any Wells Fargo Branch under Carson City Firefighters for FDNY, account no. 2001222991.

For information, call the Carson City Fire Department at 775-887-2210 or the East Fork District at 775-783-6440.