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Rutherfordton Fire Department is raising money for breast cancer awareness with the Pink Patch Project, and is the first fire department in the nation to sign on to do so.
Along with the Rutherfordton Police Department, members of the fire department are sporting pink patches with the department's logo and station number on it during the month of October.
"We are putting them on to wear for any events we attend in October," said Rutherfordton Fire Chief Tommy Blanton. "There's such a connection with folks, because everyone knows someone who has been affected by breast cancer."
The Pink Patch Project is a public awareness campaign designed to bring attention to breast cancer and support organizations doing research to fight the disease. According to the Pink Patch Project, approximately 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
The pink patches worn by Rutherfordton police and fire department members can also be purchased by the public as well, Blanton said. Proceeds from the sale of the pink patches, as well as pink T-shirts, will benefit breast cancer awareness projects as well as the fire department's efforts to restore an original 1924 fire engine. (See sidebar.)
The pink patches with Rutherfordton on them have been purchased from as far away as California, Blanton said.
"Agencies will have a patch board and put up patches from different agencies on them," he said. "It's our plan to get one started here."
Patches can be purchased for $5 each. T-shirts can be purchased for $15 each. To purchase, contact the fire department at 828-287-7367.
