Pa. Firefighter's Wife Helps Raise Money for West, Texas
Source York Daily Record, Pa.
April 30--YORK, Pa -- In the days following the April 24 fire and explosion in West, Texas, the women of FireWives.com came together to help the West, Texas Volunteer Fire Department.
Danielle McCoy, wife of Dover Township Fire Department's fire captain Michael McCoy and a member of FireWives.com, said the group was created to provide support to the 200 women who found each other online.
But the members wanted to do more.
A Teespring T-shirt campaign was created to benefit the West, Texas firefighters, McCoy said. In just 24 hours, more than $1,500 was raised.
As of Saturday evening, they had sold more than 700 T-shirts and collected about $6,000, McCoy said.
The money will be sent directly to the firefighters in West, Texas, who McCoy said lost three fire trucks and numerous pieces of equipment after the blast.
In addition to the T-shirts, hoodies are available. T-shirts are $16 with at least $8 from the sale being donated, and sweatshirts are $28 with almost $7 from the sale being donated.
"Every hose, every radio, every pair of boots and gloves helps protect someone's husband," McCoy said. "The next time the pager goes off in West, it's going to be tough. We hope the new safety equipment will help ease the minds of the firefighter wives, even if it's the tiniest bit."
The fundraiser also allows buyers to
select a T-shirt to be sent directly to a firefighter wife in West, Texas, to let them know them know someone is thinking of them, McCoy said.
Since the start of the T-shirt sale, the members list at FireWives.com has grown from 200 to 300 members.
McCoy, who met her husband when he was a junior firefighter, said fire and rescue has always been part of their life together.
The trials of that have sometimes been hard, she said, but knowing there are women out there who care for one another has been a big help.
"And we want to extend that help," she said.
@ralefever; 771-2088
How to help
T-shirts can be bought up until May 12.
Visit www.teespring.com/FireWivesforWestTX for more information on how to order.
Copyright 2013 - York Daily Record, Pa.
