Main fundraiser photo

Restore Chubby and The Firefighter - Rochester, NY

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Please help Chubby the Firehorse and his Firefighter!

Chubby was a real firehorse from the early 1900s who called Engine Company No.6 his home. He was recreated back in 2001 as part of Rochester's Horses on Parade, a charitable fundraiser sponsored by High Falls Brewing Company, makers of 12 Horse Ale. The fundraiser saw over 150 fiberglass horses created and placed throughout Rochester. While many sold to private buyers, many more are still on display to the public, including Chubby and his Firefighter, in front of the firehouse that was Engine Company No.6 in Rochester.


The Engine Company No.6 firehouse was built in 1888 and was in operation until the 1950s. The business located in the firehouse, Craft Company No.6, was the original sponsor of Chubby back in 2001 and is seeking to raise money necessary to fixing and repainting Chubby and The Firefighter, who was created along with Chubby for the Horses on Parade. The artist who was commissioned for the project, Vincent Massaro, is a local artist who has agreed to the repairs and repainting of both Chubby and the Firefighter.


Vincent has indicated the body of the Firefighter will need to be rebuilt and then he can be painted. Chubby will need some work on his legs, which are damaged due to Chubby being knocked down, breaking at the legs. While Chubby is still standing, his legs were never properly sealed, so now there is considerable wear on those portions. Chubby is also in need of fresh paint. 

The total quoted for just the Firefighter repairs is $900, so we are asking for a total of $1,500 to cover additional costs associated with Chubby's paint and repairs. The restoration will need to wait until weather improves, so we are raising funds in anticipation for a Spring restoration time-frame.

See below for pictures of Chubby and the Firefighter shortly after their installation in front of Engine Company No.6.

See below for the current-day state of Chubby and the Firefighter.

The funds collected will be used to repair these Rochester landmarks and preserve them for generations to come. All proceeds in excess of the repair cost will be donated to Verona Street Animal Shelter, a local 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting animal health and adoption in cooperation with the City of Rochester.

If you are a lover of the arts or history, then please give what you can to save these local works of art. The Rochester community will benefit from having this piece of history preserved for years to come, as will visitors to the area who are excited about history and the arts.

To learn more about Engine Company No.6's history in the Rochester community or Horses on Parade, please see the link below.
Firefighter and Chubby the Firehorse 

Organizer

Michael Verzillo
Organizer
Rochester, NY

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