The South Charleston Fire Department has adopted pink T-shirts as part of their official uniform for the month of October, which is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pictured are (from left, back row): Fire Chief Greg Petry, Bobby Davis, Ray Mann, Kevin Phillips, Travis Bayes, (from left, front row) Mayor Frank Mullens, Jeff Snodgrass, Capt. Bill Horton and Steve Samples.
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- If South Charleston firefighters seem fond of pink attire this month, there's a reason.
The department's 40 firefighters have donned pink shirts and are selling them to the public in October to raise research money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
"I've had two friends here in the past month that have had breast cancer surgery," said South Charleston Fire Chief Greg Petry.
He said many in the fire department have relatives or friends who have been touched by breast cancer.
Petry and other fire department officials have made the pink shirts part of the department's standard uniform for the month of October, which is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Firefighters are selling the shirts out of Fire Station No. 1, across from the South Charleston Public Library. Shirts are $13 each, or $14 for size XXL and larger. Petry said $5 from the sale of each shirt goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the charitable organization that raises money for breast cancer research.
Other fire departments in the area have had similar fundraisers in the past. South Charleston Fire Department Capt. Bill Horton said the city has wanted to sell the shirts before, but never got organized in time. This year, Horton took responsibility for the idea and ordered the shirts.
"It's a way to give back to the community," he said. "We've sold 200 shirts in the first seven days. They're going faster than I planned."
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- If South Charleston firefighters seem fond of pink attire this month, there's a reason.
The department's 40 firefighters have donned pink shirts and are selling them to the public in October to raise research money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
"I've had two friends here in the past month that have had breast cancer surgery," said South Charleston Fire Chief Greg Petry.
He said many in the fire department have relatives or friends who have been touched by breast cancer.
Petry and other fire department officials have made the pink shirts part of the department's standard uniform for the month of October, which is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Firefighters are selling the shirts out of Fire Station No. 1, across from the South Charleston Public Library. Shirts are $13 each, or $14 for size XXL and larger. Petry said $5 from the sale of each shirt goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the charitable organization that raises money for breast cancer research.
Other fire departments in the area have had similar fundraisers in the past. South Charleston Fire Department Capt. Bill Horton said the city has wanted to sell the shirts before, but never got organized in time. This year, Horton took responsibility for the idea and ordered the shirts.
"It's a way to give back to the community," he said. "We've sold 200 shirts in the first seven days. They're going faster than I planned."
South Charleston Mayor Frank Mullens backs the idea.
"I like to see the police and fire departments get more involved in the community," he said. Mullens bought three of the pink shirts, one for himself and one each for his wife and daughter.
Mullens also ordered magnetized pink ribbon logos to put on all city vehicles for the month.
Horton said the pink shirts are being printed in South Charleston. He was getting ready Friday to place another big order.
"I'm going to order until people stop wanting them," he said.
Petry said anyone interested in picking up a shirt can come by the fire station or call 304-744-8264 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Reach Rusty Marks at rustyma...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1215.
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