This story is a part of an ongoing series titled, “12 Days of Giving,” where we will highlight just a few of the many IAFF members supporting their communities this holiday season.
‘Tis the season to prioritize Christmas tree safety. However, members of Cromwell, CT Local 4662 are not just providing safety lessons related to Christmas trees; they’re also embracing a fresh community initiative centered around this festive tradition.
“We kind of wanted to do something to not only sell trees but to try and help the community,” said Cromwell, CT Local 4662 secretary, Cory LaFountaine.
Kicking off on Black Friday, LaFountaine says Local 4662 members secured 75 Christmas trees and will be donating proceeds to organizations and individuals from the community they serve.
“This is the first year that we are doing it,” he said. “We decided to offer the trees for $75, and if you bring a food item or unwrapped toy, we’ll take $5 off the cost of the tree.”
Gifts collected will be donated to the Cromwell Children’s Coalition, and food will go to the local food bank. The department also hosted another food and toy drive in partnership with the Cromwell Fire Department Members Association in early December.
Events like this bring out the Christmas cheer just in time for the holidays, according to Alan Dominy, president of Local 4662.
“For many years, the Cromwell Fire Department sold Christmas trees to local families as a way to show our holiday spirit,” he said. “The pandemic and other circumstances led us to suspend sales until this year.”
“It gives us a chance to be out in the community, to decorate our firehouse, and to be more visible,” said LaFountaine. “Even last night, when we were setting the house up, people were honking.”
As the Christmas trees will soon sparkle with lights, they’re spreading the gift of joy well- beyond this year.
“Our sincere hope is that next year, and future years, will see an expansion of tree sales along with wreaths and other holiday items as well,” said Dominy.
“We even use our union funds to support the community; we made multiple donations to the Cromwell Children’s Coalition, made a significant donation to a fire chief who was doing a bike ride, and we sponsored a little league this year,” said LaFountaine. “It’s also important to support the community and our members in times of need.”
