Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Honors Hometown Heroes On International Firefighters' Day

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- In commemoration of the 20^th annual International Firefighters' Day on May 4, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation announced more than $1.4 million donated to firefighters across the country during second quarter grant allocations.

Since its inception in 2005, the Foundation has awarded 3,831 grants to public safety organizations from coast-to-coast, Canada and Puerto Rico. Total giving now surpasses $42 million, and with each quarter the nonprofit exponentially broadens its footprint, impacting the lifesaving capabilities and the lives of local heroes and the communities they serve.

"The job of a firefighter is one of dedication, commitment and sacrifice," said Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Executive Director Robin Peters. "These brave men and women put their lives on the line to protect communities every day. The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is committed to doing our part in honoring the critical service provided by first responders, ensuring they are equipped with the best tools possible to safely and effectively perform their job."

Each of the grants awarded to fire departments, rescues, districts, and companies is the answer to a specific need faced by each organization. Some address the growing need for natural disaster preparedness, like the grant awarded to Paradise Emergency Services in Kingsley, Michigan to fund the purchase of wildfire bunker gear, and the grant awarded to the City of Port Richey Fire Department in Port Richey, Florida to fund the purchase of a rescue boat and accessories. The boat will be the only one of its kind in the county, enabling firefighters to provide proper fire suppression and flooding response to the city. Other grant awards replace basic protection and tools that are in use past recommended guidelines due to lack of available funding, such as extrication equipment and fire hoses. The Foundation awarded more than $2.2 million worth of lifesaving equipment grants in the second quarter and many of them, including grants awarded to police departments, schools and emergency medical services will be celebrated at local events across the country, where members of the community can witness firsthand how their donations come full circle. 

While the Foundation works to serve first responders every day, International Firefighters' Day provides a particularly impactful moment of recognition. Firehouse Subs and Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Founders Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen are former firefighters themselves, and public safety is one of the pillars upon which the Firehouse Subs brand was built. For this reason, with every sub served at Firehouse Subs, a portion of the purchase is donated to the Foundation through the Firehouse of America (FOA) Charitable Sales Promotion. The Foundation is also able to continue its mission of supporting local heroes through generous donors; in-restaurant fundraising; $2 pickle bucket donations; spare change canisters; and the Round Up Program, which allows guests to "round up" their bill to the nearest dollar.

To donate online and support Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, visit FirehouseSubsFoundation.org.

ABOUT FIREHOUSE SUBS PUBLIC SAFETY FOUNDATION
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was founded in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when Firehouse Subs Founders Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen traveled to Mississippi where they provided food to first responders and survivors. As they returned home, they knew they could do more and Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was born, with the mission of providing funding, lifesaving equipment and educational opportunities to first responders and public safety organizations. Since its inception, the non-profit organization has granted more than $42 million to hometown heroes in 49 states, Puerto Rico and Canada.

Connect:
Facebook: Facebook.com/FirehouseSubsFoundation
Twitter: @savinglives
Website: www.firehousesubsfoundation.org

FOR MORE MEDIA INFORMATION                                                            
GREER HACKETT / TORI ANDREWS
THE ZIMMERMAN AGENCY
(850) 668-2222 • [email protected]

SOURCE Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation

Related Links

http://www.firehousesubsfoundation.org