POUGHKEEPSIE – The City of Poughkeepsie professional firefighters of IAFF Local 596 have teamed up with an artist to raise money for an autism program at Marist College.
The “Best Buddies” program at Marist is an organization that works to improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities while promoting inclusion. According to the Marist Best Buddies web page, the chapter meets with “Buddies” who have special needs and live in the Poughkeepsie area.
Local 596 President Nick Bucher said that the union teamed up with Madison Cahill, an accomplished artist, who is on the spectrum, to design t-shirts to sell at the North Clover Street firehouse, with the profit going to the Marist Best Buddies program.
Cahill designed the shirt that includes an image of a Dalmatian and the puzzle pieces that are associated with autism.
Asked why she chose the dog that historically is associated with fire departments, Cahill said, “I really love Dalmatians and I think of Dalmatians when I think of fire departments.”
Downplaying her role in the Best Buddies program, Cahill described it as “a group who helps disabled and autistic kids, who get together once a month and get to know each other.”
Bucher gave credit to Cahill for the initiative and the design. “Madison is a very talented young lady who has designed an image that really shows our support for individuals who are ‘differently-abled,” he said. “Our members, as the shirt says, are ‘not just fighting fires.”
Less than 150 shirts were released for sale at the North Clover Street firehouse on Wednesday afternoon and the sales were immediate. The $25 t-shirts, available in small, medium, large, and XL (2XL sold out) sizes can be purchased at the firehouse between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Bucher said customers can just ring the bell at the front door. A firefighter will assist them as long as they are not on a call.
