Poker Run & Cookout to Help Ailing Ex-LFD Captain

A benefit for the family of Ex-Captain Douglas Mulholland of the 's Chemical and Salvage Company Number Two is set for Saturday, as he battles colon cancer.

Sign-in for the Ride for a Brother Poker Run will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the on .

All motorcycles, classic cars and hot rods are welcome.

The ride will end at Firemen's Pavilion in the park, where the last hand of poker will take place at 2 p.m.

In addition there's also a benefit cook-out to follow at the Pavilion with music, raffles, 50/50 and a Chinese auction.

Click for more information about participating in the Poker Ride and cookout, and about donating to help Mulholland and his family. See also the accompanying PDF files.

Rallying around a Fellow Firefighter
The LFD company put together this event in an effort to support Mulholland and his family during this difficult time.

It's also a way to give back something for a man who the company and department consider to be a person who's given a lot to the Lindy community and to New York City as part of the FDNY.

"Doug has given so much to the community as a volunteer for more than 26 years in this department, and we’d like to make this event as successful as possible for him," said resident Lisa A. Bartolomeo in an e-mail to Lindenhurst Patch about the event and Mulholland.

Mulholland joined the in 1985 and served as an officer of the of the Chemical and Salvage Company Number Two, achieving the rank of captain in 1997. After serving as Captain for two years, he was elected to the 's Fire Council and served as the councilman for more than 14 years.

He became a member of the New York City EMS in 1987, and was an EMT for two years before being trained to be a paramedic in 1989.

Mulholland's been a NYC paramedic for the FDNY for more than 23 years. In 2006 he was promoted to lieutenant of the FDNY EMS, and is still assigned to Station 35 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

But, according to Bartolomeo, in 2010 Mulholland was diagnosed with colon cancer, which has, unfortunately, metastasized throughout his body.

This, along with intensive chemotherapy treatments, she said, has made it difficult for him to work, and has unfortunately put his family in a precarious financial position.

The hope for Saturday's event is to raise money to help offset medical costs for Mulholland, who, as a member of the LFD, has been decorated twice for valor for assisting an injured driver in a car with primary wires fully charged on the car in 1991 and for pulling an unconscious woman from a burning house in 1994.

As a paramedic/lieutenant of the FDNY EMS, Mulholland's also received more than 50 Pre-Hospital Save Awards, as well as the Excellent Duty Award for action taken at an assignment in Queens in 1988.

Mulholland also spent more than 35 hours as a rescue/recovery worker at Ground Zero in 2001. And now he's currently being tracked as a cancer patient in the FDNY World Trade Center Cancer Program.

To Participate in Saturday's Fundraising Event
To particpate in the poker run sign in at the LMS starting at 9 a.m. Donation is $20 per motorcycle or car, $10 additional passenger and $5 for each extra hand, according to event organizers.

The ride ends at Fireman’s Pavillion, Heiling Blvd, in Lindenhurst, and the last hand is at 2 p.m.

To attend the cookout following the ride it's a $10 donation for those not participating in run.

Food will be sold, including hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, beer and soda.

A Chinese Auction will feature prizes such as a Keurig, Kindle Fire, romantic getaways and more. Raffles and tickets for a 50/50 will also be available.

Donation Information
Organizers ask that any donation checks be made payable to “Chemical & Salvage Co. c/o Douglas Mulholland,” and that they are mailed to 132 39th Street, Lindenhurst, NY 11757.