POUGHKEEPSIE – The Poughkeepsie firefighters, members of the International Association of Firefighters, Local 596 made Thanksgiving much more special for ten city families on Tuesday. The union firefighters, with support from Market Fresh grocery store on Main Street delivered a box containing all the food needed for a Thanksgiving meal to each of the families on Tuesday afternoon.
Firefighters, bearing boxes of plenty, parade down Mansion Street
The families in need were identified by firefighter Paul Bucher with assistance from teachers in the Poughkeepsie City School District. Once the list was established, Bucher reached out to each of the families to see what they needed for the Thursday meal. On Tuesday afternoon, the firefighters went shopping for each of the ten meals, returned to the Main Street firehouse and went about separating the meals into separate boxes. The process was interrupted twice as the Engine crew consisting of firefighters Bucher, Brian Ineson and Lieutenant Brad Valentine were dispatched to 911 calls. When they returned, they loaded up the boxes in the department’s pickup truck, piloted by firefighter Mark Scianna while Bucher, Ineson and Valentine climbed aboard Engine 2 and both the rig and pickup started making their rounds.
Arriving at an apartment complex on Delafield Street, the firefighters carried the boxed meal to an apartment where the residents were grateful for their arrival. “We are so blessed to have you men” said the lady of the house. At the Rip Van Winkle apartment tower, the security guard had difficulty understanding why the firefighters were at the door until Lt. Valentine explained their purpose. Valentine said “the residents aren’t used to seeing us in the building unless there is an emergency.”
Firefighter Ineson was tasked with carrying the box of food at each stop.
“It’s the least I can do,” Ineson said. “My family will be enjoying a great meal on Thursday so carrying a box for someone that needs it is the least I can do.”
Bucher, who was driving Engine 2 for the deliveries, said over the roar of the engine “delivering food to the community we serve with dedication is just one more way that IAFF Local 596 gives back to the City of Poughkeepsie.”
At one stop on Mansion Street a man answered the door and said “please tell me that my kids didn’t call the fire department” unaware that Bucher had arranged the delivery with the man’s wife who didn’t tell the family that the fire department would be stopping by. “I appreciate all you do for us. Happy Thanksgiving” said the man as the firefighters left to finish their deliveries.
