People Lend Hand to Families Of Coventry Firefighters Working w/o Pay

Members of Coventry and nearby communities have donated goods and services to Central Coventry firefighers and their families while they are providing fire and emergency services to the district without pay.

The Coventry Teachers' Alliance and Anthony Fire District made voluntary donations from their own pockets and dropped $3,875 in Stop & Shop gift cards off to the district's Arnold Road headquarters around 4 p.m. on Friday. 

"We had no idea that they were doing this but we are so grateful," said Captain Dave Gorman. "We're divvying them up to our membership right now. We do a lot for the community year-round and it's a really great feeling when the community comes together like this. We just want to say thank you."

"The members of Central Coventry Fire appreciate it more than you can imagine," read a post on the Central Coventry Firefighters IAFF Local 3372's Facebook page late Friday afternoon. "It has been extremely difficult and we wouldn't survive without the huge hearts of people like you. We are forever grateful."

Gorman also said that Coventry business TORAY Plastics donated a check for $1,000 to the district which will be used to purchase additional grocery gift cards.

He also spoke of Aurora Fuel Co. of West Warwick, whose owner Wayne Johnson recently reached out to the fire district to offer reduced oil prices and extended payment plans for CCFD employees for heating oil at their homes.

Ultra Salon, located at 572 Tiogue Ave., has also offered free haircuts to CCFD firefighers to help them during the financially difficult time.

Numerous firefighters have also reached out to Coventry Patch recently to express their gratitude for the residents who have been dropping prepared meals off at the station, not only for the employees to eat while on duty, but to also bring home to their families.

If you are interested in helping the firefighters and their families, you can contact the Central Coventry Fire Department, 240 Arnold Road, in Coventry. Their phone number is 401-828-4359.