Bartow firefighters, friends, walk for ALS
PHOTO PROVIDED
The Firewalkers and friends pose for a group photo at the end of the 2009 annual Walk to Defeat ALS (amytrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.) The Firewalkers are walking this year at the University of South Florida, and would welcome donations and pledges for the cause. This is their seventh walk, and the firefighters in the group walk in full gear - which weighs about 60 pounds.
Keeping step with a seven-year tradition, Bartow firefighters will suit up March 9 for the Walk to Defeat ALS, joined by friends and family.
“We wear full gear in support of local folks battling ALS,” said team captain Brian Bennett. That means 50 to 60 extra pounds. “Our team is successfully drawing attention to the cause by being the only team of firefighters in the Florida Chapter to do this,” said Bennett, who became actively involved after losing his father to ALS in 1997.
