L to R, Braden Peters, Fire Capt. Jeff Peters, firefighter Andrew Harris, firefighter Philip Storey, firefighter/paramedic Anthony Vitello
Firefighters are tough guys who do tough work, right? It turns out that they clean up well AND they have a soft side. The Komen Orange County Affiliate was blessed to have members of the Costa Mesa fire department on hand at Race for the Cure as volunteer “Tux Men.” The Tux Men and Tux Women assist during the Survivor Tribute – escorting survivors safely up the stairs and to their seats, wearing formal attire as one more way to honor the ladies in pink.
When Costa Mesa Captain Jeff Peters was asked to volunteer, he recruited a rookie fireman and his teen-aged son (Tesoro High School), then brought two more firefighters along for good measure. Were these “tough guys” touched by the emotional tribute? Yes, just like the rest of us.
Capt. Peters said after the Race: “What was truly eye opening was how many peoples’ lives this disease touches. You hear the commercials and the statistics and you know it is a big disease, but seeing the people firsthand and their supporters really brings it home.”
“Watching all the survivors walking up had me happy and sad at the same time. I found myself smiling and crying. Me and my son knew two of the survivors.”
“We were a very small part of this event but it appeared the ladies enjoyed having us there and we enjoyed being there to assist them,” Capt. Peters said. Sounds like a repeat volunteer, doesn’t he? In fact, both Jeff and Braden Peters plan to volunteer again at the 2010 Race.
Thank you to the firefighters and all the Race volunteers, and to Friar Tux for donating the classy tuxedos.
Filed under: 2009 Race for the Cure, Komen Orange County Affiliate News, Survivors, Volunteers | Tagged: Costa Mesa Fire Department, race for the cure | Leave a comment »