[VIDEO & SLIDESHOW] Firefighters race for children’s hospital, begin Week of Giving

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By Robert Baker

When a bell rang at UK Coldstream Research Park on Saturday morning, firefighters started running, but not to put out a fire.

Almost 150 Lexington Fire Department members and civilians began the 4.03 mile “Run to Remember” during the second annual Week of Giving to honor the 403 New York City firefighters and policemen who died on Sept. 11.

The week’s proceeds support the Kentucky Children’s Hospital and service to the entire community. Runners also had the option of donating 20 percent of their registration fee to the Lexington Fallen Firefighters Memorial.

The Fellowship of Christian Firefighters sponsored the race this year, unlike last year.

“Last year, we didn’t have a sponsor,” said Lt. Stewart Dawson, an organizer of the week’s events. “So this year we’re hoping to give at least $4,000 to $5,000.”

Additional sponsorships came from Emergency Medical Training professionals, Bluegrass 10K and John’s Run/Walk Shop.

The Lexington Firefighters will lend a helping hand this week by doing yard work, cleaning gutters, and other tasks to help the community. The firefighters have also visited the hospital to connect with the children they run for.

“We run in their honor,” Lt. Dawson said. “All firemen get a medal. Then we go back and we give (the children) our medals afterward. We tell them, ‘We’re giving you this medal, because you’re a winner in our eyes.’”

Organizers have a very solid week of publicized events to aid their cause. Through a blood drive competition with the Lexington Police Department on Wednesday and Friday, the fire department expect to surpass the 100 pints of blood donated last year.

The Week of Giving will end with a 91.1-mile bicycle ride Sept. 12. Firemen will cycle past each Lexington fire station with an American flag and Sept. 11 commemorative flag attached to one of the bicycles.