On the street

Kids' Night, North Liberty Community Center

Firefighters in North Liberty have been busy for the past few weeks, and fortunately it wasn't because of a sudden rash of fires in town. They've been putting in even more volunteer hours than usual teaching kids about fire safety and raising money for the department.

Oct. 6-13 was Fire Safety Week, and they visited 850 kids in elementary schools and day cares to talk about fire safety. They wore full gear so kids would learn not to be afraid of firefighters.

On Tuesday, they held the third annual Halloween party at the fire station, where 300 or 400 costumed kids showed up to trick or treat.

On Friday, they put on the first Kids' Night at the North Liberty Community Center. The family of Matt Boerjan, 19, a lieutenant and public education officer with the department, owns Aero Rental. So, the business donated all kinds of equipment for the carnival. Kids bounced in "moonwalk inflatables," competed in timed basketball shooting contests and played other games. They snacked on cotton candy, popcorn and orange Kool-Aid and got hugs from Old Country Buffet's O.C. Bee mascot. The kids got fun stuff like stickers and temporary tattoos, and parents got important stuff like magnets for emergency numbers, and brochures on carbon monoxide detectors, fire detectors and fire escape plans.

Anyone who wanted to could drop a donation into a firefighter's boot at the front door. The all-volunteer department, which has 35 members, established a benevolent fund to buy equipment and help with training. Last year, they bought a thermal imaging camera, used to see into fires, and a digital camera and video camera, which they use to tape training exercises. Boerjan said donations are increasing as the city grows. It's good to know that residents are supporting the department.

It's a shame if you missed all of these outreach events the fire department has been sponsoring for kids. But, you can book a kids' birthday party at the fire station, or have a firefighter visit a birthday party. Visit www.northlibertyiowa.org/fire/ for the department's contact information. Maybe lots of fire departments do this, but it was news to me. What a great idea. Kids can see a real hero AND learn something at the party.

If you haven't already, check out On the Street in Monday's Gazette. I asked young adults at Kids' Night what they liked to do when they were kids.

And, tune in next week, when co-host Carly Weber will stop by the Christkindlmarkt at the Riverside Roundhouse in Cedar Rapids to ask folks how their holiday shopping is going. (What, people have already started? I haven't even taken the witch and bat lights off my front porch!)

 

 

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