Event brought families out for a good cause
By Stephen Finn
The Sun
On Saturday, Sept. 22, the Cinnaminson Fire Department delivered on its promise to paint the town pink, starting with its own firehouse. The second annual Family Fun Day was the first in a series of fundraising events planned by the department in support of Virtua’s Tyanna Barre O’Brien Breast Care Comfort Fund and the Rebecca “Becky” Scott Paramedic Science Scholarship.
In a show of its dedication to spreading cancer awareness, the department started the day by unveiling new pink fronts for their helmets. The pink didn’t stop there however; the department adorned its trucks with the phrase “paint the town pink” and had shirts and pink birdhouses for sale outside to help with the fundraising efforts.
Business manager for the department and breast cancer survivor Jean Dietrick played a big role in organizing the event. The department supported her through her treatment and now she does what she can to support other women going through what she did.
“I sat with a number of women and it was really sad,” said Dietrick. “Not everyone can afford medications, transportation back and forth for treatment, scarves and wigs. Virtua helps provide money for those things.”
One of the most eye-catching features of the event had to be a fire truck painted almost entirely pink, parked in the lot next to the firehouse. The truck belonged to Pink Heals, an organization run by first responders much like Cinnaminson’s own firefighters that raises funds to support women who are going through treatment.
“We are pink because we believe women own pink, not breast cancer,” said Pink Heals representative Raegina Hawkins.
The Pink Heals fire truck, affectionately named “Alice,” was more than just an eye-catcher. Upon closer inspection, one would notice personal messages written all over the sides of the truck.
“Our trucks are rolling memorials, we encourage people to sign them and leave a message for somebody fighting or for someone they’ve lost,” said Hawkins.
In addition to raising funds and awareness, the department sought to engage with the community through Family Fun Day.
“We’re hoping to bring the community together around this,” said Fire Chief William Kramer. “My philosophy is the fire department is the community. They need to recognize that this is their fire house, we just happen to live here.”
As Kramer had hoped, the community showed up. Longtime resident Sue Deeney comes from a family of firefighters and works as an oncology nurse. She has had more firsthand experience with cancer than most and made sure to show her support for the department and the causes it is helping to fund.
For her it’s all about awareness.
“Cancer isn’t just about treatment, it’s about prevention,” said Deeney.
She wants to get the word out about early detection methods like mammograms, colonoscopies and skin checks.
“You’re going to have a better rate of recovery if we catch it early,” said Deeney.
The department took advantage of the nice weather and fired up a grill, serving up hamburgers and hot dogs to anyone who came out to the event. There was no shortage of fun to be had for the kids in attendance either. A moon bounce, Kona Ice truck, crafts and games made for a family friendly event.
One family in particular had a deep connection with the reason for the day. Bill Scott is the father of Becky, for whom the Rebecca “Becky” Scott Paramedic Science Scholarship was named. He came out with another of his daughters, Sarah Mclaren, and Becky’s fiancé, Matt Revy. The scholarship, which helps paramedic students pay for school, was started after Becky passed away in 2015 following a battle with breast cancer.
According to her family, if Becky could be present at the event she would probably have been embarrassed with all the attention but ultimately thrilled with the show of support. She was a paramedic and a number of Cinnaminson firefighters knew her personally.
“It’s apparent that Becky touched a lot of people for them to do an event like this and support the scholarship,” said Scott.
For more information on fundraising efforts and a full schedule of events, check the Cinnaminson Fire Department’s Facebook page at facebook.com/cinnaminsonfire.
