Collingdale PA Firefighter, collects gear and equipment for Sierra Leone
“I am prepared to sell my car or take a second job to ship the fire fighter gears and equipment worth approximately $50,000.00 for the fire department in Freetown, Sierra Leone”. The solemn words of Sierra Leonean born Collingdale Fire Volunteer, Alhaji F. Saccoh, who migrated to the US at the age of 16 and had dreamt to alleviate the poverty level of his people, which was ravaged by a senseless war. (Photo: l-r Alhaji F Saccoh and President of the Collingdale Fire Co. No. 1, Mr. Tom Heckman)
At a “Thank you heroes dinner fundraiser” held at the Collingdale Fire Co. No. 1, on May 17th, 2015, by the Sierra Leone Children’s Fund, Mr. Saccoh narrated his visit to Sierra Leone two years ago, where he found out that the fire men were sleeping on the floor and lacked proper gears and equipment to carry out their duty. When he was leaving the Fire Force office, one of the fire men pleaded with him not to forget about them and remember them in sending them gears and equipment, he went on. Collingdale Fire Volunteer Al Saccoh lived his promise and started a campaign to donate gears and equipment, when he returned to his second home the United States of America. Captivating the audience with this revelation, Mr. Saccoh, admonished the efforts of the Delaware county fire Association in assisting him collect over $50, 000 worth of fire gears and equipment ready to ship to Sierra Leone.
With heavy applauds from the audience, he recollected his encounter with kids from his village, which brought memories of his days sitting on the same benches, when he visited the school. Mr. Saccoh also mentioned about the lack of transportation to school for those children and other amenities.
Collingdale firefighters
The President of the Collingdale Fire Co. No. 1, Mr. Tom Heckman, remarked that they have been supportive of Alhaji F. Saccoh and believed in his dreams of alleviating the level of the Fire Force in Sierra Leone. To grace the occasion were the Fire Chaplain Mr. Perry Missick and President of the Delaware County Firemen’s Association, Judy Kirby, Sierra Leoneans, friends and relatives.
Earlier, Alhaji Sulaiman Saccoh, said the Muslim prayers, Akim Din Gabisi Christian prayers and also MC for the event.
Palatable dishes from the US and Sierra Leone were served with DJ Santos entertaining all ages and nationals with music.
At the moment, Alhaji F. Saccoh is waiting on more donations to ship the items to Sierra Leone. As the country recovers from the Ebola virus, are you that philanthropist that will come to the aid of the Fire Force in Sierra Leone, by shipping the fire equipment and gears?
By Jeneba BM Koroma – Former SLBS/TV Producer/Reporter
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