POUGHKEEPSIE – City of Poughkeepsie firefighters adopted eight families throughout the city and delivered everything needed to cook a full Thanksgiving meal on Wednesday morning.
“Our firefighters are always helping the city that we love,” said IAFF Local 596 President Nick Bucher. Market Fresh Grocery on Main Street donated four turkeys and another four came from Dean Koplik of Murray’s Chicken in South Fallsburg. The union purchased the rest of the necessities for the meal including stuffing and sides.
On Wednesday, the on-duty firefighters loaded up their rigs and went to their assigned stops to deliver the boxes of food.
The crew from Engine 3, with Lieutenant Paul Bucher and firefighters Michael Anderson and Mark Scianna, delivered to families in their area of the south side of the city, covered by the Hooker Avenue firehouse. At their first stop on Market Street, a woman with her young son opened the door and immediately offered thanks. The boy jumped off of the steps and hugged firefighter Scianna and then ran inside to retrieve a thank you note and returned to deliver it to the crew. “That is exactly why we do things like this,” said the lieutenant. “If we can provide just a little joy in these otherwise trying times, we will do it every time.”
Another family visited by the crew of Engine 3 invited the firefighters in and took time to have their picture taken before wishing the firefighters a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
“Our firefighters are always giving back to the community,” said Mayor Rob Rolison. “Our brave men are always willing to get together and help residents that might be experiencing difficulties. I am proud of our firefighters as well as our police officers and all of our city employees that go the extra mile for Poughkeepsie.”
