Project Fire Buddies | DonationMatch


About the Nonprofit

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Nonprofit Category: P - Human Services
Exempt Status: 501(c)(3) (IRS Form 990 Filed)

We are firefighters who offer support and give back to children fighting critical illnesses. Their battle will not be fought alone!

Our story -

In December 2016, a young child who was battling cancer fell ill with a high fever. A group of Oak Forest Firefighters answered the 911 call, transporting the child to the hospital for life saving treatment. 


The experience touched our hearts and we wanted to do more to than just providing emergency care. This eventually led to the creation of Project Fire Buddies (PFB).

Our chapters focus on building relationships with their fire buddies. Members of PFB visit Fire Buddies in their homes, often times arriving in  a parade of fire vehicles with lights blazing and sirens blaring. 

They bring gifts for birthdays and holidays, play games, provide tickets to concerts and special events, and attend important events in the children’s lives.  PFB has also helped families to secure much needed medical supplies and devices.

Fire Buddies even visit the firehouse on occasion for dinner with the crew, for tours of the station and to see the rigs.  

Project Fire Buddies started with the Oak Forest Fire Department, but our ranks keep expanding with new departments joining every month. Visit our Departments page to see if a fire department near you is part of the Project Fire Buddies family.  

Project Fire Buddies brings joy to kids struggling with critical illnesses. We believe that no child should fight these battles alone.

Our chapters focus on building relationships with their fire buddies. Members of PFB visit Fire Buddies in their homes, often times arriving in a parade of fire vehicles with lights blazing and sirens blaring. They bring gifts for birthdays and holidays, play games, provide tickets to concerts and special events, and attend important events in the children’s lives. Fire Buddies even visit the firehouse on occasion for dinner with the crew, for tours of the station and to see the rigs.

On a typical visit, they might play a game of catch, help their fire buddy learn to ride a bike, read them a favorite story, or even take some whipped cream in the face during a round of Pie Face —anything to make their fire buddy laugh and brighten their day!

Since its inception PFB has been steadily growing and expanding. From 2023 to 2024 alone, the organization grew by 500%. New chapters are committing to the mission every day and helping us to bring joy to even more children.

 


Events

Labor Of Love on July 20, 2024