by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Giving to different organizations is a regular occurrence for the Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters. So, when one of their fire fighters comes to them with a great cause, there are no questions asked.
In late June, Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department Engineer Terri Gouin came up with an idea that would benefit the March of Dimes, an organization that is dedicated to finding cures for premature births and birth defects. Gouin and her husband, who is also a fire fighter, have personal ties to the March of Dimes after their two children were stillborn.
Supporting the March of Dimes was something the Gouins did together, but when Terry saw a “fire fighter” day planner that was purchased by one of her co-workers, Gouin wanted to design one that everyone can use, with the proceeds going to the March of Dimes.
Not knowing how to put together a day planner or how to get started, she first brought the idea up to Mark Treglio, the director of public relations for the Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters.
“It is a no-brainer,” said Treglio. “When one of our members find a great cause, we are going to support them.
“When it comes to supporting charities, you will find that there is no one like us.”
With not much time, Gouin began doing research on Jacksonville and the Fire & Rescue Department. The 2008 day planner will be filled with pictures from the Great Fire of 1901, emergency phone numbers, hurricane preparedness information, and first aid information. It will also feature a March of Dimes fact sheet, company sponsor ads, and a page featuring a local fire fighter’s daughter who was born premature and has beaten the odds. Since it is a day planner, it will also include a month-by-month calendar and pages dedicated to each week of the year.
“It’s been exciting putting it together,” she said. “I really had to dive in and I found out a lot of history about our city.”
Gouin is hoping the 2008 planners are a success because she wants to continue to support the March of Dimes each year.
“This is the first year we have done something like this and we are going to see how successful it is,” said Gouin. “We are hoping we can continue to do this every year.
“We have pre-sold 350 calendars already.”
Gouin has been happy to see the support from her fellow fire fighters and the public.
“A lot of people are affected by things, whether they have personally or they know someone,” she said. “People have really stepped forward. It means a lot.”
She added that not only did the Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters support her, but so did her fellow fire fighters.
“I knew the fire fighters would back us ... anything for charity, we’re there full guns forward,” she said.
About 2,500 copies of the day planners will be produced and the goal is to raise about $25,000, said Treglio.
For the past two years The Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters has also given the March of Dimes the proceeds from the Florida license plate fire fighter tag. Treglio said last year $10,000 was donated to the March of Dimes from the fire fighter tags. He added that they have already surpassed $10,000 for the first half of this year.
The day planners will go on sale during the Southern Women’s Show Oct. 18-21 at the Osborn Center. They will also be available by visiting www.jfrd.com. Calendars are $15.
Jacksonville Association of Firefighters charities
• Muscular Dystrophy Association
• American Cancer Society
• Florida/Georgia Blood Alliance
• Guardian Ad Litem
• Donna Hicken Foundation
• Jacksonville Mad Dads
• March of Dimes
• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
• Southeast Burn Foundation
• Spina Bifida