Rhode Island Fire Fighters Support U.S. Troops

June 13, 2006 – Providence, RI Local 799 participated in Hero to Hero, a nationwide program to support military troops deployed overseas. As part of the program, fire fighters and police personnel literally take “the shirts off their backs,” sign them with messages of support and send them to men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. This year, Hero to Hero organizers hope to collect at least 10,000 T-shirts.

“This is the second year we have participated in this program,” says Paul Doughty, president of Local 799. “One of our members, Dan Rinaldi, has a working relationship with Hero to Hero and organized our T-shirt collection. We collected two big boxes of shirts.”

Hero to Hero, launched in 2003 by Liz Jackson national director for the program, stopped in Providence on June 1. “Several of our members have already served in Iraq,” says Doughty. “So we know all too well the brave efforts our troops are making for us overseas. This is our way of letting them know how much we appreciate what they do.”

Providence is one of 55 stops for the Hero to Hero program during 2006. Fire fighters are urged to donate logo T-shirts. Items must bear the fire department or union logo. Attach a business card to receive a response from the troops receiving the shirts. No sealed items can be sent.

For more information, visit www.herotohero.us.

Mail T-shirts to:

HerotoHero.us                                                                                                                                                                                             Attn: Liz Jackson                                                                                                                                                                                           P.O. Box 98954                                                                                                                                                                                      Lakewood, WA 98498