Support Laid Off Marion County Firefighters

I come here before you to advocate for  a group of people I consider a second family. I was once a firefighter EMT for MCFD#1 but left the fire service about a year ago due to personal life issues. However, I still regard my former coworkers as dear friends and family.  Unfortunately, due to economic uncertainty in these strange times their recent local option tax levy failed. As a result, the department is suffering a 30% annual deficit in funds to the tune of 2.4 million dollars. Now the department is facing cutting 9 firefighters as well as a battalion chief.  Many of them have kids to support and will face bills pilling up with no job. As you may or may not know, getting another fire service job is an arduous task. It can take months to years to get through a hiring process and start a new job as a firefighter. I hope to raise the money to support those personnel through the times that they will be without a job. I can attest that these Men and Women are wonderful people and sacrifice a great deal to serve their community. I hope we as an online community can come together to support these individuals in their difficult times as they support so many others through their hardest days.