TOLEDO, Ohio — Each year on Jan. 26 the local nonprofit Toledo Strong delivers breakfast lunch and dinner to all of Toledo's firefighters.
The group was founded in 2014, shortly after the deaths of Toledo firefighters Steve Machcinski and Jamie Dickman.
On Jan. 26 that year, 42-year-old Machcinski and 31-year-old Dickman died of injuries sustained while fighting a fire at Magnolia Street in north Toledo. Private Machcinski had more than 15 years of service. Private Dickman had joined the department in September the previous year.
"For us we are just happy to participate and to help lift the spirits of these men and women on kind of a somber day for them. It's a rough day for all of our community but Toledo Fire especially. It's hard to believe it's been five years, " said Larry Cready the founder of Toledo Strong.
In honor of their sacrifice Toledo Strong began offering support to local fire stations and every year on the anniversary of the day the fallen heroes died by taking food to Toledo's fire stations. The group said its goal is to help find resources and recognition for our first responders to help them effectively serve the public.
Toledo firefighters said this day can be bittersweet but it's important to them and the community to keep the memory of Steve and Jamie alive.
"It makes me happy that people want to support us in that way," said Toledo Fire Chief Allison Armstrong. "It makes me happy that they don't forget the sacrifice that Steven and Jamie made for the community. And it's mixed emotions. Some days I feel like oh my gosh it has been ten years, that's a long time. And then other days, it seems just like yesterday. It's really hard for me to describe. I go through a range of emotions when I think about what happened."
Toledo Strong delivers to Toledo Fire Departments
Armstrong said the loss of two firefighters was a tragic, but she feels it was an honor to know the men and share their stories with the first responders that will come behind them. They share their stories with posters, images, stickers, plaques, statues and through the fond memories they share with each other.
"So, I remember the times we interacted with each other or the times that we worked at 23s. And he made a funny joke. I remember those things," Armstrong said. "So, I try to hold onto those memories and maybe the pictures I see of Jamie Dickman and/or his family and hope that we hold onto the good memories. But obviously, we can never forget what happened. They were tragically killed because of an arson fire while serving the city of Toledo."
This year Toledo Strong kicked off their meal deliveries at 6 a.m. Friday with breakfast from local bakeries, including Bakery unlimited. Following breakfast they will serve lunch and dinner until 5:45 p.m..
Cready said the group is proud to continue this tradition and they are even more proud of their community for supporting their efforts.
"The community keeps us going. Every year it feels like we finish getting everything scheduled a little earlier every year because more and more people want to get involved. And it's truly amazing the out pour of support that comes from the community the local bakeries the restaurants and even some business owners that pitch in and adopt a station it's just amazing," Cready said.
If you would like to help out and donate to Toledo Strong, click here.
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