Firefighter newlyweds ask for fire station donations in lieu of gifts

By FireRescue1 Staff

KITSAP, Wash. — A firefighter couple who recently got married raised money for their respective fire stations by asking for donations instead of gifts.

KIRO7 reported that firefighters Ileana LiMarzi and Jason Tucker, members of Local 2819 Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue and Local 3219 Marysville Professional Firefighters, respectively, chose not to register for wedding gifts when they got married on July 28.

Instead, LiMarzi and Tucker raised $1,500 by pledging to their wedding guests that any cash gifts would be donated to the 7th District Benevolent Fund and the Local 2819 Benevolent Fund.

“We've both been involved with our benevolent funds and have seen firsthand the wonderful work that they do,” LiMarzi said. “Our benevolent funds not only help firefighters and their families, but also assist members of the community that are in need. It's not uncommon for the benevolent fund to step in after a fire in the community, for example, and help the families that were affected. It was an easy choice to split any monetary donations we received between our two groups and we thank everyone who gave so generously.”