By Madison Fantozzi
The Ledger
LAKELAND, Fla. — The Lakeland Fire Department and SPCA Florida have released their 2017 calendar full of buff firefighters and cute animals.
The Rescued Pets calendar is available for a $10 donation that goes to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Florida.
“The calendar features actual SPCA Florida rescued pets and buff Lakeland firefighters beautifully photographed at famous landmarks throughout Lakeland,” LFD spokeswoman Janel Vasallo said.
Each month also features safety tips and information from both organizations. Some blooper photos also are included, SPCA spokeswoman Paula Creamer said.
The organizations released their first calendar last year and raised nearly $10,000 to pay for replacement animal oxygen masks for the Fire Department and medical care for animals at SPCA Florida’s McClurg Medical Center that firefighters rescued from emergency scenes.
“The annual calendar is a fun and philanthropic cornerstone of the partnership,” Vasallo said. “It is a great way for SPCA Florida to expand on its mission of helping animals while the Lakeland Fire Department can show its compassion and care for all of the living creatures in its community.”
This year’s calendar is “hotter than ever,” she said.
“If you see this year’s calendar, you can tell it’s a little more fun, a little more creative,” Creamer said. “Most of the male personnel ... are shirtless, and they were all good sports and they knew it’s for the animals.”
She added that the SPCA website has been “blowing up” with online sales.
The calendar can be purchased at the Fire Department’s administration building, 701 E. Main St.; SPCA Florida campus at 5850 Brannen Road S.; and online at www.spcaflorida.org. Copies also will be available at the Wellness Wagon’s weekly route stops.
Watch @10NewsWTSP for @Grady_Trimble‘s story on #LFD‘s calendar benefiting @spcaflorida. W/ Mr. March & June! More @ https://t.co/phYXdYXH6b pic.twitter.com/GhmCKaO8QV
— Lakeland Fire (@LakelandFD) November 22, 2016
Hot firefighters and rescued pets! Get both in the @LakelandFD calendar benefiting @spcaflorida Buy it here: https://t.co/XiVH9mQdHs #WTSP pic.twitter.com/MNEaCqon6T
— Bob Shackelford (@tpa_bob) November 22, 2016