Heroes in pink

Since 2014, the Newton Fire Department has “gone pink” in October to show its support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The members of NFD wear pink shirts and uniforms throughout the month to help raise awareness for the cause, also selling the shirts and sweatshirts in the community to raise money for the cause.

“It is important to us, as a union, to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness because it is something that afflicts thousands of Americans every year both women and men. We want to help raise awareness so that people will go get screenings and hopefully catch the cancer before it becomes too serious,” Newton firefighter and paramedic Conrad Cruthirds said.

Cruthirds stressed how much the community means to the fire department and sees the pink shirts as a small way to give back to the people who may be in need of the support. However, the idea is not unique to the Newton community as many other organizations show their support in similar ways.

“Fortunately, it is not just the Newton Fire Department and Local 1457 that is trying to raise awareness. Most fire departments around the country do the same thing of making Breast Cancer Awareness shirts and donating the money,” Cruthirds said.

The NFD started the tradition in 2014 by wearing pink through October to raise awareness. The next year, they added the sale of the shirts to not only raise awareness but funds for the local support group.

This year, the NFD has added another facet to its support for Breast Cancer Awareness month. The department has partnered with the Newton YMCA and Anytime Fitness to give lucky community members a chance to win prizes. Anyone who works out in a pink shirt has their name placed in a drawing for that week.

“At the end of the week, a random name is drawn and the winner gets a NFD pink water bottle. We also worked with Newton Apparel and made it so patrons of those two establishments get a discount on their pink shirt orders,” Cruthirds said.

The Newton Fire Department has enjoyed continuing its tradition of selling pink shirts in October. The community response has been positive as they have been able to raise thousands of dollars over the years for the Jasper County Pink Ribbon Support Group, a local group that helps women find the support they need for dealing with the implications of breast cancer. They also help the families, fighters and survivors that are dealing with all stages of diagnosis.

Cruthirds helps set up the pink shirt order for the department. He says crew wears them to raise awareness but also as a bit of advertising for this year’s T-shirt.

“Since we interact with the community every day, it gives people a chance to see the shirts in person. People who might not have bought a shirt before might get one after seeing them,” he said.

Unfortunately due to the ongoing pandemic, the NFD wasn’t able to sell shirts from the station or at the annual bake sale. In lieu of this, Newton Apparel operate a webstore for people to purchase items with the option to pick up items at the store, 110 E. Fourth St. N., or have them delivered.

The original deadline to purchase a shirt was Sunday, Oct. 18. Newton Apparel has reopened the webstore for those still interested. Visit newtonapparel.printavo.com/merch/nfdpink to find out more about sizing and pricing. The store will be active for one week.

For ordering information, contact Newton Apparel at 641-275-3333.