PEORIA, Ill. – An important donation involving the Peoria Fire Department is kicking off an important school supply drive.
The “Fill the Truck” campaign is officially underway, with a $500 donation to the Tri-County Urban League, from the Peoria Fire command staff.
That money will go toward buying school supplies, and the backpacks to put the supplies in, according to Tri-County Urban League CEO, Dawn Harris Jeffries, Ph.D.
“In some way, I think we’re providing just a sense of comfort and a sense of pride, when you can just sort of boast a bit about your day (if you’re a school student), ” said Jeffries.
A Peoria Firefigther is responsible for the idea of the “Fill the Truck” campaign.
“Initially, we only set out to fill just a few backpacks and be able to give them away, and it’s turned in to this large movement,” said Scott Howard, member of the Afro Firefighters Association. “I can’t be more excited to see all of the things that we’re trying to do for this community that all of us love. This is a Peoria family, more than anything.”
Fire trucks will be out Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Walmart on University, and the Big Hollow Target. Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger says he’s serious about filling fire trucks up.
“We want everyone to see the big red fire trucks. see the firefighters standing outside,” said Sollberger. “They’ll be going inside and buying supplies, hopefully, for their children and friends, and then coming back out and making a donation. People have tasked us with…’Are you guys actually going to fill up a fire truck?’ Yes. On July 30, we want that visual impact. We want people to see that, yes, we’ve filled a fire truck.”
