THANK YOU Louisiana

[E40FDNYL35]

School kids gave their pennies. Elderly folks placed donations in firefighters' boots. And when all was said and done, the people of Louisiana raised $1.25 million to help replace equipment lost by New York City's Fire Department on Sept. 11, 2001.
The first fire engine was delivered in December 2001 to Engine 283 in Brownsville. On Friday, a delegation from Louisiana visited the Fire Department's headquarters in downtown Brooklyn to deliver seven more vehicles.
"Louisiana is one of the poorest states, per capita, in the union," said Ron Goldman, a member of the delegation. "To see people dig so deep out of love is a beautiful, beautiful feeling."
It was Goldman's idea to raise funds. He came up with the plan while listening to Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster on his weekly radio show a few days after the terrorist attack.
Goldman telephoned the governor, who gave his approval.
"We both knew it was a crazy idea, without a snowball's chance in hell of going anywhere," Goldman said Friday. "But in three weeks, we had $38,000. Firemen stood on streetcorners shaking their boots. One 7-year-old girl put 41 cents in an Altoids mint can. The money just kept coming in and coming in."
Repeat donors
Goldman said many people contributed more than once. Some staged raffles. Groups competed against one another to see who could raise the most money. Corporations also made donations.
"The drive was supposed to end in December of 2001 but the money kept coming in until October 2002," Goldman said.
Ferrara Fire Apparatus, a Louisiana-based company, built the new units for the FDNY. On Friday, the president of the company, Chris Ferrara, and Louisiana state Rep. Hunt Downer presented the keys for a recovery unit for firefighters and a hazardous materials unit, along with five specially outfitted cars for fire chiefs.
"We may not be able to be here with you every day but our hearts are here with you," Downer said. "Our spirit is with you. Louisiana loves New York."
FDNY Chief of Department Frank Cruthers said: "The people of Louisiana in their generosity have treated the people of New York and the Fire Department of New York as they would their own families in their time of need. It is impossible to express the indebtedness we feel."
Cruthers said contributions such as the one by the people of Louisiana had enabled the FDNY to replace all of the equipment lost on Sept. 11.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

Cool, way to go Louisiana!

[Firediver]

E40FDNYL35,

How are the units holding up? If you ever want some great crawfish ettoufee or gumbo, just come on down, we don't shoot yankees anymore.

[AnIndustrialFF]

A story like that just has to make you feel good ! Kudos to the people of Louisiana, you've done yourself proud.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

As a frequent visitor to the Pelican State, I am very proud to see what the people of Louisiana did. I personally know a little boy who along with his Mom, gave 20 bucks. That was alot of money for them. If you have never been to Louisiana, or if you just have visited New Orleans, I seriously recommend you check out some other areas of the state. Especially Acadiana which is Cajun country. It is one of the more unique places in our great country.

[Pride373]

Hey, sometimes it's nice to remember we're all in it together, you know? North, South, East, West, White, Black, Yellow, Red, we're all still American. Thanks for your help, Louisiana.