Maria StLouis-Sanchez
The Gazette
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — When a wildfire blazed into Colorado Springs, Jennifer Dollman figured she had to do something. She quickly went online and bought three t-shirts, with the profits going to help local organizations.
When the site asked if she wanted to donate a shirt to a firefighter, she quickly agreed.
“Why not?” she questioned. “These guys run right in and all they get is a t-shirt. Seriously? It’s the least I could do.”
She wasn’t alone. At least 1,200 Wildfire tees were purchased for firefighters, said Tucker Wannamaker, who helps market the shirts. And that’s just a small example of the gifts that have been rolling in toward local fire crews after the Waldo Canyon fire.
On Thursday, Dollman and Wannamaker were at a presentation at the local firefighter union where the shirts and other gifts were bestowed on firefighters and civilians who helped with the Waldo Canyon fire. They picked up gifts of Crocs shoes, energy bars, drinks and gift certificates for Larkburger and Honey Baked Hams.
Firefighters and civilians employees who helped with the fire can pick up their gifts from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday at the Colorado Springs Professional Fire Fighters Association, Local 5, 3265 W. Carefree Circle, Building C.
Rudy Ruttinger, second vice president for the union, said the organization decided to help distribute the gifts because so much was donated.
The gifts at the union offices aren’t the only ones being handed out. Several people have stopped by stations to thank the firefighters in person.
Firefighter Bruce Longton, who was at the presentation, said people from throughout the city have been coming out to give their thanks. School groups have dropped off cards, people have dropped off baked goods or dinners or have just stopped by to thank them in person and tell their story.
“I don’t know if it’s more attention than we’ve ever gotten, but folks feel easier these days about stopping in,” he said.
Ruttinger said when the gifts first started coming in, firefighters asked that people donate to the victims instead.
“They said they had and they wanted to thank us too,” he said.
Now they just try to be gracious when a gift comes their way. There is one downside, he said. A couple of firefighters have put on some pounds from all of the donated pastries.
“We’ve got to jump on the treadmill to keep up with all of these gifts coming in.”
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