Goldsboro firefighters help battle cancer
By John Joyce
Published in News on October 8, 2014 1:46 PM
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Goldsboro Fire Chief Gary Whaley, back right, and the rest of the department supported the idea Engineers Ricky Barnes, and David Grice, seated under the Royall Ave. Station stencil, came up with a year ago -- wear and sell pink GFD T-shirts each October to raise money for breast cancer research. The shirts come in adult and child sizes and are available for $20 each.
The Goldsboro Fire Department answered the call last year in the fight against cancer, raising more than $1,800 for Cure for the Colors.
This year, the goal is simple -- raise more money.
"Engineers Ricky Barnes and David Grice came up with the idea last year," Goldsboro Assistant Fire Chief James Farfour said.
He said the fire department has helped other area departments with fundraisers over the years, but the time came to do something on their own.
"Fire Chief Gary Whaley allows us to wear the pink shirts during October," Farfour said.
October serves as both Breast Cancer Awareness month and National Fire Prevention month.
GFD is selling their pink T-shirts for $20 each, and donating all proceeds to Cure for the Colors.
"I am very proud of these guys. This is what they do," Whaley said.
In the end, the connection and the reason for the fundraiser is personal, the chief said.
"A lot of us are affected by cancer through family members and friends who have faced the disease," he said.
The shirts come in adult sizes small through 4X, and child sizes small, medium and large.
Orders can be placed by calling Christie at Goldsboro Fire Department Headquarters at 919-580-4262.
The shirts will be available for pick up at either Station 1, 204 S. Center St., or Station 2, 1901 Royall Ave.
Stock will be replenished every three to four days, so the wait on orders should be less than a week, depending on demand.
Goldsboro firefighters purchased their own shirts in advance and will be out in the community all month long sporting the pink shirts with purple ribbons.
Shirts also will be available for purchase Saturday at the department's annual Kidsfest as well, as long as supplies last.