The Providence Volunteer Fire Company will be holding its sixth annual Child Safety Day and Open House on Jan. 10, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the firehouse located at 1416 Providence Rd. This is an event that I have attended with my own children, and it is a great way to begin the new year by making sure your children and family prepare for — and even prevent — home emergencies.
Dean Denning, a member of the Providence company for 22 years, believes that this event is a great way to interact with the Towson community in a non-emergency setting.
"There is more to our service than simply responding to emergencies," Denning said. "Prevention and preparedness are even more important."
The Child Safety Day is an opportunity to see the station and its equipment, as well as meet the members and others in the public safety community.
Events include learning about exit drills in the home, working smoke alarms, activation of the 911 system, and home fire safety and prevention. In addition, firefighters will teach children about their protective equipment in a demonstration that diminishes how scary a firefighter in full gear might look. My young son found this activity to be especially interesting.
Joining Providence will be representatives from the Baltimore City Environmental Police, the Maryland State Department of Environment Emergency Response Division, and the Baltimore County Police Community Outreach Team. In addition, New York Life Insurance will be doing child fingerprinting and identification cards. There will be face painting, snacks, and even a visit from Batman between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
For questions or details of the event, email Providence at information@pvfc29.com or contact the event coordinator, Jeff Coburn, at 443-467-9677.
The Loyola Blakefield Swim Team hosted its annual 100-Mile Swim Relay on Dec. 19. This year, they honored Army Staff Sgt. Joseph F. Curreri '98, who drowned in 2007 while on a mission in the Philippines. Curreri started the 100-mile swim in 1997 to raise funds for a water polo program at Loyola.
Proceeds from this year's swim will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.
According to Coach Keith Schertle, the 100-mile swim took almost 27 hours to complete. The event has raised nearly $5,000, with more expected by the Jan. 9 deadline.
Schertle added that, at the conclusion of their fundraising efforts this year, the total raised by the swim team for charities since 1997 will exceed $113,000.
Donations can be sent directly to Loyola Blakefield (P.O. Box 6819, Towson, MD 21285-6819). Please specify that your donation is for the 100-Mile Swim Relay.