Renovations to Atlanta Fire Station 29, on Monroe Drive, were desperately needed. “We had to shut the whole fire station down due to building concerns because it was not a functioning firehouse,” recalled Capt. Joel Lane about the shutdown last June. In August, the fire station reopened to the community it served with all its necessities in place.
The renovations were possible in part of the Atlanta Fire Foundation, the nonprofit organization launched to assist the men and women of Atlanta Fire Rescue with the tools, training and equipment to provide best-in-class emergency response. The organization also helps toward renovations or other needs requested by departments.
To assist in the foundation’s mission, Shula’s 347 Grill, located in the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel and Conference Center, hosted the Third Annual Flames for Firemen Patio Party last Thursday to raise funds for the five-year-old nonprofit. The money raised will assist the City of Atlanta fire rescue departments by closing in the monetary gap that exceeds budgetary costs.
“The EMTs, firefighters, and police officers take such a great care of our guests and surrounding community,” said Chuck Wilson, the hotel’s general manager. “With this partnership, we want to show our support to these men, women, and departments.”
The Atlanta Fire Foundation also hosts programs such as Fire Safety and Education and the Citizen Fire Academy for businesses, schools, and citizens. Additionally, the nonprofit provides services such as disaster preparedness and distribution of free smoke alarms.
The fire foundation receives great support from the community, but there are always more ways to get involved. “We host fundraisers and programs for citizens to interact with local fire stations and raise awareness for this cause,” said Capt. Jim Daws, board member and 24-year veteran of Atlanta Fire Rescue. “As citizens, we cannot take these services for granted. Whether it’s coming to events, fundraising, or donating to AFF, we really need the community as much as it need us."
The event raised $400 for the organization. Since 2009, the Atlanta Marriottt Buckhead has donated over $5,000 to the Atlanta Fire Foundation which serves 1,000 firefighters in Atlanta.
To get involved with the Atlanta Fire Foundation, visit www.atlantafirefoundation.org
In Other News: On June 20, volunteers from Citi and Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta built home furnishings that were distributed to individuals and families in need throughout the Atlanta area. The event was a part of Citi's Seventh Annual Global Community Day that hosts over 1,300 community service events across 92 countries.
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