By Sharon Salyer
Herald Writer
LAKE STEVENS — After a visit to New York City, Therese Quinn had an idea: Bring New York firefighters to Lake Stevens for a visit, part of a budding national effort to provide getaway vacations for the firefighters and their families.
During her East Coast visit last month, Quinn was introduced to the group Friends of Firefighters. "They’re putting together vacation packages for these guys with a lot of other towns and organizations across the country," she said.
The Rotary Foundation also is assisting, Quinn said.
She would like to bring some of the firefighters and their families to Lake Stevens during AquaFest, which is held the last weekend in July.
Although Quinn has a list of people who have offered to share their homes with some of the out-of-town firefighters, she said she doesn’t have a way to pay their airfares.
Since she hasn’t formally invited the firefighters, she is unsure how many would be interested in coming, but estimates perhaps eight people could be expected.
She says she needs a minimum of $3,000 to pay for the tickets, and hopes that people might chip in for airfare or help her find discount tickets.
Next, she hopes to coordinate sightseeing trips for the visitors, including attendance at a Seattle Mariners game.
During her New York City visit, which included trips to Brooklyn firehouses, simply mentioning that she was from the Northwest was enough to get an enthusiastic response from the firefighters.
"They said, ‘Oh yeah, I’d like to go fishing’ or ‘I’d like to go kayaking,’" she said.
"They’re working so hard on the (World Trade Center) site, and they went through so much," Quinn said.
"The things the New York City firefighters did were so heroic. We need to honor them. This is one small way we can do it."
You can call Herald Writer Sharon Salyer at 425-339-3486
or send e-mail to salyer@heraldnet.com.
Those interested in assisting Therese Quinn bring New York city firefighters here for a vacation may contact her at her e-mail address, quinnt5@aol.com.
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