On March 6th, the Portage Fire Department celebrated their 50th anniversary the only way they know how: by giving to their community. They hosted an Eli Strong Shave-a-Thon in the firehouse bay to spread awareness of childhood cancer and to raise money in support of a survivor in our own neighborhood.
Eli Alexander was diagnosed with brain cancer at three years old. He may not be old enough to understand the consequences of the disease, but he knows it is something bad that his parents do not want in his body.
He also knows that he “kicked cancer’s butt!”
Eli has been in remission for three brain scans now. While the immediate threat is over, the medical bills are still an issue that no family should have to do with.
Which is where the Portage Fire Department comes in. Last March they started growing their hair in preparation to participate in St. Baldricks, a fundraiser that many fire departments get involved with. Then they heard about what Eli was going through. The men decided that they wanted to help on a more personal level.
So they came up with the Eli Strong Campaign.
“Firefighters touch lives and we knew we wanted to do that,” said Fire Chief Tom Fieffer. “We see the struggles of one person, and we help in an emergency setting. It is something else entirely to be able to help at a personal level.”
The fire department met Eli’s mother, Amber, through their relationship with the Portage YMCA, where she serves as the CEO.
“[This fundraiser] means a great deal to us,” said Amber. “It brought a lot of awareness to childhood cancer.”
The Portage Fire Department responded to its first call in 1967. Joe Urlach, the first fire chief hired by Portage Township, started the career department with just 12 recruits. They have been building their community and saving lives ever since.
To thank them for their work, the Nelson family donated $15,000 to the dive team. Joe Urlach’s family attended the fundraiser to answer questions about their patron and his legacy.
Ed Urlach, son of Joe, thought it was “absolutely amazing” that the department was raising money during their birthday party.
“Firemen have always had pride. Pride in their jobs, pride in the people they protect. It becomes a big extended family. What they are doing is not unusual because of the type of people they are. Community is number one in their hearts.”