WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AREA FIRE FIGHTERS GET "BUGGED" ABOUT CHILDHOOD FIRE INJURIES

"Fire Bug Lollipops" Set to Create A Buzz in the Tri-State

CINCINATI, Ohio - (June 1, 2004) - Cicadas aren’t the only things bugging area fire fighters this summer—childhood fire injury prevention is their hot topic.

What Steps Are Area Fire Fighters Taking In The Fight Against Childhood Fire Injuries?

1. Call for backup. — Get the involvement of child safety experts from the Safe Kids Coalition and the leadership of the Cincinnati Fire Division.
2. Work together. — Develop a child-friendly book about fire safety that will be distributed free to tri-state families.
3. Ask for help. — Go to a long-time friend in the business community and ask how they can help.
4. Be creative. — Come up with an innovative way to raise funds to publish the book.

About The Book
Mother of five and Amberly Village resident, Miriam Younger, authored Fire Safety with Fireman Bob. The hardcover, full-color children’s book reinforces fire safety lessons in language and through graphics that children will enjoy. With the help of Cincinnati Fire Division Fire Specialist, Bobby Smith -- known throughout the tri-state as someone that gets fired up about fire prevention -- tri-state fire fighters were recruited for the project. The book features photos of tri-state fire fighters and other local health officials demonstrating safety tips.

The Challenge
To meet their goal of reaching as many tri-state families as possible, the fire fighters want to distribute the book free of charge. The challenge is raising funds to publish the book. They approached their long-time friend and corporate supporter of fire safety awareness, Gold Star Chili, for help in raising the funds to publish the book.

Fire Bug Lollipops—What’s All The Buzz About?
To coincide with greater Cincinnati’s cicada invasion, tri-state fire fighters will be collecting donations in exchange for Fire Bug Lollipops. These unique candy products have been sold at locations throughout the country for many years. However, fire fighters believe interest will be strongest during "Cicada Summer."

"Fire Bug Lollipops are a fun way to offer a souvenir of our ‘cicada summer’ to people who donate to a great cause," said Bobby Smith, Fire Specialist with the Cincinnati Fire Division.

How To Get Your Fire Bug Pop

• Party In the Park—Wednesday, June 9
  Fire fighters will be on hand accepting donations in exchange for Fire Bug Lollipops during Party in the Park at Yeatman’s Cove. The adult version of the Fire Bug Lollipops -- oversized lollipops with real crickets -- inside will be available during Party in the Park.
  
  "Gold Star Chili has rented us a booth and is helping us set up so that we can offer these mementos to adults," said Smith.
• Fire Fighter Education Night—Tuesday, June 22
  Kid versions of the Fire Bug Lollipops will also be available at Gold Star Chili’s annual Fire Fighter Education Night. On this occasion, area Gold Star Chili restaurants welcome local fire fighters to provide fire safety education to youngsters in conjunction with Kid’s Night. This year, fire fighters will offer Fire Bug Lollipops – candy lollipops with candy bugs -- at Fire Fighter Education Night in exchange for donations.
• Additional Opportunity
  For those who can’t make either event, or want to include Fire Bug Lollipops in their own cicada parties this summer, whole boxes can be purchased through donation. For information on ordering Fire Bug Lollipops or about donating towards the publication of Fire Safety with Fireman Bob, contact Bobby Smith at 513-357-7592.

Gold Star Chili Participation
"Long ago, Gold Star Chili committed to assisting area fire fighters with fire safety initiatives," said John Sullivan, Gold Star Chili President and CEO. "So, when the fire fighters sounded the alarm about raising money for the publication of this book, we responded with enthusiasm."

"The Fire Bug Lollipops are a creative way to raise funds and to commemorate what will doubtless be a memorable summer," Sullivan said. "We’re happy to help... just don’t expect cicada coneys anytime soon. Our customers like the original family recipe."

 ###

Established in 1965, Gold Star Chili has more than 100 restaurants located throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana and has supported fire safety prevention and education as corporate-wide philanthropy since 1995. For more information about Gold Star Chili and its fire safety initiatives visit www.goldstarchili.com.