More Than $200,000 Raised for Injured Detroit Fire Fighters

October 27, 2010 – Lines of people wrapped around the Roostertail in Detroit, Michigan, to support and help raise money for four critically injured Detroit Local 344 fire fighters. Donations are still coming in, but event organizers report that more than $200,000 has been raised to date.

With 2,000 tickets sold, the event was a sellout. Each person paid $50 to attend the cocktail party and auction.

Among the items donated for auction: a Fender Stratocaster signed by Kid Rock and Detroit fire fighter helmets signed by all members of the Detroit Lions, Tigers and Red Wings.

Local 344 fire fighters Gerald Rutkowski, Brendan Milewski, Eric Jurmo and Brian Baulch were injured in August 2010 while responding to a two-story commercial building fire. The four were inside the structure when part of the building collapsed on them.

With injuries so extensive, the four fire fighters will need an enormous amount of rehabilitation therapy, and health insurance will not cover everything.

This fundraising effort is in association with the Axemen Professional Firefighters Motorcycle Club Charities. Therefore, check donations can be made payable to Axemen M/C - F.I.R.E. and sent to:
F.I.R.E. Fund
PO Box 320
St. Clair Shores, MI 48080

Additionally, monetary donations continue to be accepted at any Bank of America (acct. # 375 00577 1182).