Little Elm firefighters donate check to Susan G. Komen for the Cure

The $1,350 check was from a fundraiser last October.

Photo by Emily Hill

Mary Frances Hoover, executive director of the North Texas Chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, accepts a $1,350 check from Little Elm firefighter Lt. James Connor.

Despite recent major media news, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation still has support from the Little Elm firefighters.

Last Friday, the Little Elm Professional Firefighter Association donated a check of $1,350 to the breast cancer foundation. Mary Frances Hoover, executive director of the North Texas Chapter, accepted the check on behalf of the foundation.

"We really appreciate their support," Hoover said.

The check came from proceeds raised last October by the department for breast cancer awareness. The Texas State Firefighters Association, which inspired the idea to raise funds for breast cancer, have helped fire departments across the state start their own fundraisers locally by selling pink t-shirts supporting breast cancer awareness.

"It's the right thing to do. It's our way of giving back," Little Elm firefighter Lt. James Connor said.

During October, firefighters around the state show their support by wearing the shirts.

"It's a huge thing for firefighters," Connor said.

Last year, Little Elm firefighters raised $2,700 from shirt sales, which are ordered and purchased locally and cost only $10 for the public to buy. Connor said the funds raised have increased every year since the department began selling shirts three years ago. He said some of their biggest supporters around town are the schools.

"Teachers are real big supporters," Connor said.

Hoover hopes that in the future, fire departments can compete for a single large trophy.

The fire department is required to donate at least half of their funds raised to a women's breast cancer foundation and the other half to a cancer foundation. Later this year, the department plans to present a check with the other half of the funds to a post-9/11 cancer foundation.

At the presentation, Hoover praised the firefighters, saying they are paving the way for other local communities.

"It's great that these outlaying communities know we're out here," Hoover said.

Out of the donated check, 75 percent stays locally and 25 percent will go toward national fund research.

This October, Connor said the department plans to create more public awareness with a flier. In the past, the fundraiser has been mostly by word of mouth.

During the first weekend of October, the fire department hosts an open house event to celebrate October as fire prevention month and kick off pink shirt sales. This year, Connor said there will be a new design for the pink shirts and hopes to offer women's shirts as well.

Shirts are available to purchase year-round. Visit the Little Elm Fire Department (88 West Eldorado Parkway) to order a shirt, or contact Connor at 214-975-0426.