Firefighters raffle strong bodies for charity

By Christy Barritt

Correspondent

Joseph Zelinsky drove past his home of 12 years one day last month and didn't even recognize it. His Jarvis Road house in Deep Creek was transformed through the help of a generous neighbor and 10 firefighters.

The project began when firefighters at Station 12 in Western Branch decided to raffle themselves to raise money for the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life event. Tickets cost $5 each for the chance to have 10 firefighters perform eight hours of manual labor at the winner's house.

The firefighters raised $2,300 through the raffle alone, helping push their Relay for Life team total to more than $22,000 this year. It ranked fourth highest in the city.

Karen Craig, who works at the Sam's Club in Western Branch where firefighters sold tickets, bought the winning ticket. But instead of keeping the prize for herself, she gave it to her neighbors, Joseph and Estella Zelinsky.

Estella had a heart attack in 1998 and is still limited in what she can do. Joseph retired from the government in January but has arthritis in his back and hips.

"When Karen gave my wife the ticket, she broke down crying," said Joseph, 61. "She didn't know how to handle it."

The 10 firefighters spent 10 hours putting down laminate floor, cutting grass, pulling weeds, cleaning gutters and power washing the house. Lt. Johnnie Majewski said the crew was determined to stay for as long as it took to get things done - even in the 98-degree heat.

"We have a lot of people who are hard workers," Majewski said. "This whole crew, every time you ask them to do something, they're right on it. "

Majweski said the firefighters used their own trucks and tools to complete the work and relied on the help of other firefighters to cover their station while they worked June 9.

"We were on duty, which was helpful because the city worked with us," Majweski said. "They had to get other people and equipment in here to fill our station while we were out doing that. "

When the firefighters finished at the Zelinskys' home, they went over to Craig's house and cut her grass.

Everyone's generosity moved Joseph.

"I told them, 'if you need the support next year, I'll help if I can,' " Joseph said. "They worked their tails off."

Majewski said his crew enjoys getting involved in the community, and they hope to participate in a similar fundraiser next spring.

"We'd do it again in a minute," Majewski said.

The next fundraiser for Station 12 is the Fill the Boot campaign to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. That campaign begins in mid-August.

Christy Barritt, 651-6166,

christybarritt@cox.net