Volunteers Helping Volunteers

The volunteers from Madison Hose Co. No. 1 dropped everything they were doing this morning around 11:40 a.m. to rush to a  report a fire at a house off of Surf Club Road.

This is what these guys do. Most, if not all, have full time jobs, families, and other obligations. But when the alarm goes off, they rush off to fight fires, extricate people from crushed cars, search for people out on Long Island Sound in the middle of the night.

Wednesday morning, fortunately, it turned out to be nothing more than a malfunctioning dryer. So the firefighters slipped off their firefighting gear, turned their trucks around, and, dressed in their civilian clothing, headed back to their jobs, and families, and other obligations. 

But not before they stopped to chat with some awestruck youngsters at the corner of Surf Club Road and West Wharf who had set up a lemonade stand earlier that day in the parking lot of the . One of the firefighters was about to get in his truck, then stopped, got out his wallet and walked over to get a lemonade.

I'm not going to use his name, even though I know what it is, because these guys generally tend to be modest and are reluctant to have their names published unless absolutely necessary.

As it turns out, this firefighter not only got himself a lemonade, not only gave these kids the huge satisfaction of meeting a real live firefighter, but he also ended up supporting Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven and Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital.

Kylie Albert, 7, Kiera Stankewich, 8, Haley Albert, 10, Allie Stankewich, 10, and Nolan Stankewich, 5, all from Guilford, had grins from ear to ear. Except Nolan. His jaw was pretty much on the ground when the real live firefighter stopped by.

Haley says she and Allie last year came up with the idea of setting up a lemonade stand to support the cancer center and children's hospital. But the summer came and went and it was hard to find time. So this summer, they finally were able to make it happen.

They're all from Guilford, so why Madison?

"My grandmother owns the Dolly," Haley said. Her grandmother is Melody Forrest.

Why Smilow Cancer Center and Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital?

"Our good friend Claire's mom, she is a breast cancer survivor. My mom is doing a ride with her," said Allie. Allie's mom will be riding in the Closer To Free bike ride fundraiser in September. The ride will pass through New Haven, East Haven, North Branford, Guilford, Madison, Killingworth, Deep River, Essex, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton and Branford.

And if you didn't have a chance to stop by the lemonade stand Wednesday, there will be plenty more opportunities to support it. Anyone interested in riding or volunteering, visit www.rideclosertofree.org or contact Jessica Scheps, Office of Development at 203-688-8727 or rideclosertofree@ynhh.org.

As for Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital, Haley says, "we want to help every child. We want to help people with cancer, but children with other problems too."

As for Madison Hose Co. No. 1, in the past few days they have responded to reports of fires, motor vehicle accidents, wires down and dumpster fires. They're there when we need them. If you want to help them, your next opportunity is coming up in September 9th.

They are having their 60th Annual Semi-Formal Dance. It's their biggest fundraiser of the year and it's our opportunity to thank them for the volunteer work they do to keep us safe. We can provide them with financial support and we can show up in person, shake their hands, and thank them. And have a good time while we're at it. So save the date. See you there.

Information About Closer To Free Bike Ride From Smilow Cancer Center:

Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven announces the first annual Closer to Free bike ride fundraiser with 100 percent of funds raised supporting cancer research.

“We are very excited about this event,” said Kevin F. Walsh, vice president of development, Yale-New Haven Hospital. “The ride will not only help raise awareness and money for cancer care at the hospital, but it is also a great way to bring the community together and channel its energy and spirit toward a very important cause.”

The first annual Closer to Free bike ride fundraiser starts at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Yale Bowl complex, where it will also finish with a celebration of entertainment and refreshments. The ride will pass through 12 towns throughout Greater New Haven, including New Haven, East Haven, North Branford, Guilford, Madison, Killingworth, Deep River, Essex, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton and Branford.

“The Closer to Free Bike Ride is a real community effort,” said Thomas J. Lynch, Jr., MD, physician-in-chief, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven and director of Yale Cancer Center. “With strong community support, corporate sponsors and hundreds of riders and volunteers, the success of this event will support our efforts in ground-breaking science and patient-centered care at Smilow and Yale Cancer Center.”

Cancer survivors, patients, family, friends, trained athletes and riders or all skill levels and abilities over the age of 18 are encouraged to ride. For anyone interested in riding or volunteering, visit www.rideclosertofree.org or contact Jessica Scheps, Office of Development at 203-688-8727 or rideclosertofree@ynhh.org.