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New York expresses thanks for donation
By BRADY DENNIS ZEPHYRHILLS -- When Zephyrhills firefighters raised more than $44,000 to help the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks, Chief Robert Hartwig knew the best way to get it there: hand delivery. "It makes a lot better presentation, and you know it gets there," Hartwig said. He said local firefighters were scheduled to go to New York for a firefighter memorial service, and he planned on delivering the check then. But the memorial service was postponed, Hartwig said. So he recruited an old friend, Dan Chichester, who is the volunteer fire chief in Hernando Beach and was taking a trip to New York anyway. Chichester hand-delivered the $44,001.89 donation to City Hall in Manhattan. It wasn't long before a letter arrived from the mayor's office. "On behalf of the city of New York and Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, I would like to extend our sincerest appreciation,," wrote Laurence Levy, deputy counsel to the mayor. "This donation will be used to assist, support and recognize the families of the members of the uniformed services who tragically lost their lives on September 11th." Hartwig said he was proud to get the letter but even more proud of the local residents who donated to the boot drive. "I never thought we would have raised that kind of money," he said. "It was an emotional thing to realize this small community has raised this much. I think it speaks well of all our citizens." Hartwig said the local firefighters union also raised about $11,000. That money was donated on behalf of the union to the International Association of Firefighters as part of a benefit fund for the attacks.
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From today's Pasco Times |
