APPLETON, Wis. (April 22, 2010) – National Fallen Fighters Foundation ("NFFF"), with the support of Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, and Harley-Davidson Motor Company [NYSE: HOG] today announced that their NFFF Full Throttle Support campaign to assist the nonprofit National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has generated donations approaching $250,000. In addition, NFFF together with Pierce and Harley-Davidson named the winner of the NFFF Full Throttle Support II sweepstakes. Representatives from both companies presented the keys of a custom, one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson® Fat Boy® Firefighter Special Edition motorcycle to Captain James Anema of the North Whidbey Fire and Rescue Department located on North Whidbey Island, Wash. The presentation took place at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, Ind.
The sweepstakes winner is a six-year volunteer with the North Whidbey Fire and Rescue Department. "I supported the NFFF Full Throttle Support campaign both last year and this year, and I can't imagine a finer cause for firefighters, "said Captain Anema. "Because many in the NFFF have been through a tragic loss, they understand better than the rest of us what is needed to help the survivors. Being selected is a responsibility that I will not to take lightly. I am already networking with firefighters on regional events where this beautiful motorcycle can be used to help tell the NFFF story."
"With the completion of its second year, the NFFF Full Throttle Support initiative continues to show its strong appeal and we are proud that, together with firefighters, dealers and citizens throughout the country, we have been able to raise nearly a quarter of a million dollars for this truly worthwhile endeavor," said Wilson Jones, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. "The money donated as a part of this campaign supports the noble mission of NFFF to honor the memory of firefighters who have lost their lives by assisting their families."
Since its inception, NFFF Full Throttle Support has generated 16,163 individual donations to the NFFF. The NFFF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the memory of America's fallen firefighters as it allocates resources to aid their surviving spouses and children with scholarship assistance for educational and job training costs, and for peer networks that offer families and coworkers essential emotional support.
As the father of a fallen firefighter and one who has seen first hand the support of NFFF, James Daughetee commented, "Our son, Shane M. Daughetee, was honored in 2008. The candlelight service and the memorial service were beyond what we could ever imagine. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has helped us in so many ways that only survivors could ever know. Our heart and thanks go to Pierce Manufacturing and Harley Davidson for their generous and continuing support to the Foundation. They are helping to ensure that the Foundation can continue to honor our fallen heroes and provide endless support to their survivors."
"On behalf of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, and its dealers and riders, we're proud and honored to have played a role with Pierce to endorse and sponsor NFFF Full Throttle Support. Harley-Davidson is proud to be a sponsor of this important cause," said Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson Motor Company vice president of Core Customer Marketing.
"The NFFF is so appreciative of the support given to us by both Pierce and Harley-Davidson. Without their commitment to the families of the fallen, our programs and services would not be as effective as they have been," said Ron Siarnicki, NFFF Executive Director. "NFFF Full Throttle Support has been one of our premiere fundraising efforts and it's exciting to see this one-of-a-kind motorcycle awarded to a very special individual."
About Pierce Manufacturing
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini-pumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.
About Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's Web site at www.harleydavidson.com.
About National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization with a Congressional mandate to honor all firefighters who die in the line of duty in the United States. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is the only fire service organization that represents every facet of the American fire service – career, volunteer and wildland. The Foundation has launched major initiatives to reduce firefighter deaths. The Foundation has no allegiance to any special interest. For more information, visit www.firehero.org.
About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. The Oshkosh brands are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, log on to www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
