SOMETIMES THINGS GO RIGHT WHEN THEY GO WRONG!

So I get this call about a week ago, from a printing company.  A very nice young woman tells me that they printed up an order for a Washington Fire Dept, but there was a small error that rendered the shirts useless for uniform wear.  They weren't sure what to do with the shirts ... Fortunately one of the firefighters is aware of H2H and sent them our way!

So we are 160+ shirts closer to our goal.... but still a ways from that magic 5,000 number that we need.

We had already done the Stomp, but knowing that there was extra effort, it was worth a quick trip up to Snoqualmie.  What a beautiful place!  Sad to live so close and not get there very often.  I have been there twice now in the last couple weeks, and enjoyed both trips.

You know, no one told me who the firefighter was that had given our name to the printer, so when I saw it was our own "Mr January", I had to smile!  Robert is just such a positive guy, and happily, and big supporter of our troops.

We are trying to take troops with us to visit departments now.  This was short notice, and I wasn't sure I could make that happen.  Then, our young USAF loadmaster, Shannon, called and asked what I was doing.  (Light bulb lights over head)  She was between trips, and has been a part of this from the start.  So she donned her desert flight suit, and off we went.

Robert wasn't even on duty, but was a great sport and put his uniform on for the photo ops.  And let's be real, if you have the opportunity to have one of the WSCFFA Firefighter Calendar guys pose for you for your project ... need I say more?  ( ;  www.FirefighterCalendar.com

We presented the program, showed our scrapbook from prior events, and started taking pictures.

All the guys got into it ... one of the wives came by, and left with visions of emptying drawers of unused shirts, in her head.  Remember, this is a great way to recycle shirts in good shape!

As at others houses, the goal was troop support, and smiles.  They were challenged to find a new photo op for SHertz, and stepped it up with use of the Stokes Basket.

Shannon had forgotten about the shirt swap possibility ... it was her first department visit.  And in the rush of getting ready, let's just say she was not in the right "uniform" to take off her top.  So for the swap, she stepped back inside to change, then we "made" it happen for the photos.  (Don't want anyone getting the wrong idea ... including her boyfriend, or Commanders!) 

The firefighters were complete gentlemen, which is almost always the case.  Most often, they are laughing at the one who gets chosen for the place of honor, ie, shirtless!  This was no exception, but a lot of the laughter came from watching Robert squeeze into Shannon's shirt!

Bear in mind that Snoqualmie in late November can be a tad chilly.  The temps were at freezing, so when you see us outside to make the shots happen, realize that we were all beyond cold.  And the guy in the Stokes looked really frigid!

We want to thank the Snoqualmie FD for remembering us, and for making the day special.  Thanks Robert ... you are indeed our Hero!

Special thanks to Absolute Graphics, there may have been an error for official purposes ... but the shirts are very well done!!!  Think of us any time you like!  Great quality, and the troops receiving them are gonna love them!

Enjoy the photos!

Don't forget ...WE NEED YOUR SHIRTS BY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

And we look forward to seeing Snoqualmie Fire representing at the Pack-Out on February 25th!

lj