Saturday, November 19, 2011, a non-profit organization named BRAVE Foundation will open its storage units to other area non-profits to support their humanitarian efforts. "It's like a garage sale where our supplies are free to people who provide similar services, said Ron Quinsey, a West Pierce Fire and Rescue Captain/Paramedic and charter member of the BRAVE Foundation. "It is our intent with this event to support other non-profit organizations by sharing donations we have collected. We have connections with people and organizations near us who serve Cambodia, Mexico and Central America, Africa and Haiti".
BRAVE, an acronym for Bomberos (firefighters), Resourceful And Valiant Efforts, Foundation is a team of emergency services professionals who have helped the development of a functional fire/EMS system in Guatemala, Central America, since 1997. Today, other firefighters, paramedics, nurses and people connected to emergency and healthcare services are volunteering themselves to international causes collecting out-dated supplies, equipment or vehicles no longer useable to local emergency services. Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One Lt./Paramedic Joel Schwarz with FirefighterCrossingBorders.Org, currently in Mexico, like BRAVE and others, are providing emergency equipment and training to firefighters. Cyndi Peck and her team with Compassionate Hearts are serving orphanages globally. They seek bandages, supplies for children and latex gloves no longer used here because of allergy issues. Dave Emmons, firefighter/paramedic with West Pierce Fire and Rescue and equipment coordinator for EMPACT Northwest said, "the lessons of BRAVE Foundation members and the opportunity to share in their equipment cache will allow EMPACT Northwest the ability to focus our current project in Haiti more strategically."
The BRAVE Foundation free non-profit equipment give away will be held in Midland (near Tacoma) from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Saturday, November 19th, 2011.
Questions can be directed to Ron Quinsey of the BRAVE Foundation: 253-370-2401.
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