Oakland Firefighters Random Acts

Calvin Goes To The Prom - In Style

2009-06-19T23:06:00.000-07:00

17 year-old Calvin has cancer and missed his school prom at McClymonds High School because of his diagnosis. His social worker at Oakland Children's Hospital contacted Random Acts after she did some research and found a non-profit organization called Shiri Foundation that puts on proms for kids with cancer. Random Acts got Calvin the tuxedo, the corsage for his date, and a boutonniere for his lapel. The fire crew from Station 5 delivered the tuxedo to Calvin which he had picked out, and they threw in some spending money for him out of their pockets. Black Tie Transportation donated the limousine ride to San Francisco. (Thank You Black Tie!!) This was kept a secret from Calvin because his mom wanted it to be a surprise. So, on the evening of the prom when he asked his mom how he was going to get there, she pointed to an old dilapidated pick-up truck that was parked out in front of their apartment and told him he was going in that. So, you can imagine his amazement when the shiny black stretch limousine pulled up. And, he wasn't the only one in shock. All his neighbors we're going crazy with excitement too because this was the first time they had ever seen a limousine in their neighborhood. Total strangers were taking pictures of Calvin and the limo. He was definitely the man of the hour, and his chauffeur drove him off in style to the prom. ABC-TV News did a story that evening about the Shiri Foundation Prom, and there was Calvin on TV dancing the night away.

Healing After the Fire

2009-06-11T22:20:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, Capt. Bob Nylander and Station 20 responded to a classroom fire at Sobrante Park Elementary School. Today, Station 20 returned to the school to bring some gifts and some healing to the students and their teacher, Ms. Becerra, who were using a temporary classroom on their last day of school. Random Acts fulfilled most of the items on her Wish List for the class with things that we already had in stock - books, office supplies, canvas school bags filled with school supplies for each child, crayons, coloring books, pencils, a new office chair, a CD player, and stuffed animals. We will return to visit again when the school reopens in the Fall to help replace other supplies that were lost in the fire. The stuffed animals were especially healing for the children. When one of the students noticed that a teacher looked close to tears, he went up to her and said, "You look sad. I think you need a stuffed animal". And, he gave the teacher his stuffed animal. That really brought her to tears.

40 Turkies for Thanksgiving

2007-11-20T23:33:00.000-08:00

Station 3 delivered 40 Thanksgiving turkies to the Western Service Workers Association at a West Oakland church.

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Toy Donations

2007-11-18T23:05:00.000-08:00

Station 1 helps pick up toys that were collected by the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church for the Random Acts Holiday Toy Drive. Thanks guys!!

2007 Wheelchair Regatta

2007-09-29T23:21:00.000-07:00

Oakland Firefighters participated in the Annual Wheelchair Regatta at the Encinal Yacht Club in Alameda. Boat owners donate their time and vessels to take hospitalized war Veterans out on a cruise around the Bay. Vets are bussed in from Veteran Hospitals from around the Bay Area and get the opportunity to spend a day away from institutionalized life. Oakland Firefighters, along with Coast Guard and Sheriff Department volunteers, help to carry the Veterans in their wheelchairs on and off the boats. After the boat ride around the Bay, the Veterans enjoy a BBQ lunch and share a few war stories.

Piedmont 4th of July Parade

2007-07-04T18:29:00.000-07:00

The Raiderettes and the Raiderettettes pose in front of the OFD Parade Fire Engine at the Piedmont 4th of July Parade.

Air Conditioner for Quadriplegic

2007-06-16T23:42:00.000-07:00

During a recent heat wave, Station 20A responded to a call at a house where they encountered Larry Scott, a quadriplegic, in a back room where the temperature seemed 10 degrees hotter than the rest of the house. They thought he could really use an air conditioner in his room, so Tom Marshal contacted Random Acts.

After Tom and Lionel Jarreau muddled through the instructions....

(men do read instructions)

And, Chelsea Hope helped remove the bars....

John Weir came to the conclusion that there was only one way to do things -

Tom's
Way....

and Tom's Way....

Jim Reis came in on his own time to help...

Nice Going 20A!!

Charity Bike Ride for Diabetes

2007-05-06T18:23:00.000-07:00

Oakland Firefighters Porya Jeddi (PJ), Denny Chan, and Richard Aguilar participated in Tour de Cure, a series of cycling events held in more than 80 cities nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association. The June 6th, 50-mile bike ride in Napa was supported by a sponsorship contribution from Random Acts.

Books & Balls at Franklin School

2006-11-06T22:23:00.000-08:00

Random Acts' 12th Books and Balls program was presented at Franklin Elementary School to Principal Jeanette MacDonald and her students. Author Louise Flodin donated 150 copies of her book "Sherman the Frog" to the school which she, Hanns Detlefsen and James Smith read to the students in the classrooms.

Corlene Horan of Airline Ambassadors donated school kits to the school and newborn kits and other items to Mom Green.

Bakesale Betty donated $250 to Random Acts for the balls.

Firefighters from Station 4, 'B' shift, had fun tossing the playground balls out to the kids. At times it was difficult to tell who was having more fun - the Firefighters or the kids.

Hygiene Supplies for West Oakland Senior Center

2006-11-01T22:21:00.000-08:00

Firefighters from Station 3 participate in the city's Senior Escort Program and assist seniors from the senior center one block from their fire station by taking them on walks. Eric Payne found out the seniors have to pay for their own hygiene supplies. He put in a request with Random Acts who obtained 72 hygiene kits from Airline Ambassadors and more hygiene donations from Safeway. Eric Payne, Darin White and the crew from Station 3 distributed the hygiene supplies in the presence of representatives from the city's Life Enrichment program. Bettye Burns from Admin assisted in the distribution.

Lighthouse Mentoring Center

2006-10-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

Random Acts board member Manny Watson volunteers at "The Lighthouse Mentoring Center" in Antioch. He requested a donation to purchase school supplies for the boys that he mentors. With the help of Random Acts, Manny was able to buy backpacks, dictionaries, notebooks, pencils, pens, rulers and other supplies that the boys will need during the school year.

Jeff Painter of the "The Lighthouse Mentoring Center" gives more insight into the organization:

"The Lighthouse Mentoring Center" is a non-profit group home which houses and cares for the needs of adolescent boys from the ages of 6 to 18. Originating in April of 2000 the Lighthouse has been catering to the needs of dozens of young men who, many times through no fault of their own, have been separated from their biological families and have had to be placed in a group living situation. One of our main focuses is on education and helping youth to see the value of gaining a good education to prepare them for their future. Independent living skills are stressed and every effort is made by our staff to see that the boys have what they are going to need now and when they emancipate. We are devoted to "Lighting the Way to Our Children's Future" and our sincere thanks go to the Oakland Fire Department for their generous donation and in helping us to provide our boys with the educational tools to help them on their journey".

If you would like to help "The Lighthouse Mentoring Center" you can e-mail Jeff at "pioman2414@comcast.net".

Wheelchair Regatta

2006-10-14T13:06:00.000-07:00

Oakland Firefighters volunteer to help with the annual Wheelchair Regatta at Encinal Yacht Club in Alameda. Together with volunteers from the Coast Guard, Alameda County Sheriff, and Alameda Fire they help to carry Veterans on and off yachts and boats that will take them for a cruise on the Bay. For many of the hospitalized Veterans, it is a rare opportunity to escape the confines of institutionalized life.

Chappell Hayes Health Clinic

2006-09-29T13:07:00.000-07:00

Firefighters from Station 5, 'B' shift, including Charles Lightfoot, Dwight Garcia, John Richardson and Cedric Price, delivered basketballs, yoga mats, school supplies, art & craft supplies, and board games to the Chappell Hayes Health Clinic at McClymonds High School.

New Crib for Erika Juarez's Baby

2006-09-19T15:58:00.000-07:00

On August 8, 2006, Station 20A responded to a two-alarm fire at 1142 - 72nd Avenue. Erika Juarez, her husband Alvaro Maldonado and their 3-month old baby lost all of their possessions, including their home in the fire. Erika and her baby suffered burn injuries and were treated at Saint Francis' Bothin Burn Center in San Francisco.

Random Acts received a request from the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation to assist this family in need, especially with food, clothing and diapers for the baby. Burn survivor Lily Palacios (third from right in photo) of AARBF who is assisting the family, informed Random Acts that the baby also needed a crib. Today, Jim Reis, Nick Sanz, Sherman Jones and Jim Haughy, the fire crew from Station 20A who responded to the fire, delivered a baby crib that they assembled, diapers, and two gift cards to Erika Juarez who has since relocated to 96th Avenue. The crew was more than happy to be able to assist this family after the fire as well as during. They immediately bonded with the baby who didn't even cry.

Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation - Oakland A's Host East Bay Burn Relay Fundraiser

2006-09-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation and the Oakland A's re-created the East Bay Burn Relay at the Oakland Coliseum before the Oakland A's game vs. the Chicago White Sox. Fire Departments including Oakland, Alameda County, Alameda City, Berkeley, Milpitas and Chevron in Richmond brought fire engines to the Coliseum and presented their donation checks to the Burn Foundation. Mimi Sabine and Ashley Erdman of AARBF accepted the checks atop the Van Pelt fire engine which was used as the stage and podium.

IAFF Local 55 President Brian McKenna (hidden), Oakland Union President Chuck Garcia, Sec/Trea Jim Whitty, and Jason Lloyd present a check for $5000 from Local 55 to Ashley Erdman of the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation.

The Belgium Firefighters visiting the Oakland Fire Department this week were having a great time at the Burn Relay and stayed to watch the baseball game.

Alameda Fire brought their vintage fire engine.

Everyone enjoyed a tailgate BBQ lunch that was served up in the Coliseum parking lot before the Oakland A's served up the Chicago White Sox.

Oakland Fire Random Acts Cycling Team

2006-09-10T15:15:00.000-07:00

Oakland Firefighters rode with the Oakland Fire Random Acts Cycling Team in the "Bike Against the Odds" bike ride to raise money for The Breast Cancer Fund. The ride left from and returned to the Lake Merritt Bandstand in Oakland.

When they rode across the finish line, the cyclists were cheered on by the blaring music coming from the newly restored Van Pelt fire engine. Individually and as a team, the Oakland Fire Random Acts Cycling Team helped to raise a total of $1553 for The Breast Cancer Fund. The cyclists had fun riding for a great cause that has personally affected and touched so many. The OFRA Cycling Team wants to make this an annual Random Acts event and encourages other cyclists to join them next year.

Many, many thanks to all who participated.

A New Bike for Clem at Albertsons

2006-09-01T23:29:00.000-07:00

Clem Singletary is one of those guys who is always helping other people. That didn't seem to make any difference to whomever stole his bicycle near 90th Avenue in East Oakland. Clem, who works at Albertsons on E. 18th Street and is always cheerful and friendly, was noticeably missing from work one day to the fire crew from Station 12A who shops there for groceries every shift. Knowing that Clem's bike had been stolen, they asked Clem's co-workers if he ever got his bike replaced. The co-workers replied that Clem had to call in sick because he didn't have his bike to get to work.

Roy Palatino called Random Acts and asked if we could get a bike for Clem. Later that same day, Chip Baker went to Costco and bought a bicycle and then went to Clem's church on 90th Avenue to deliver the bike to him. When Clem saw the bike he broke down and cried. With tears streaming down his face, he kept repeating over and over again, "I can't believe that anyone would do this for me". See, Clem is one of those guys who's always helping other people and doesn't expect anything in return. Today, Clem's Random Acts of Kindness helping others came back to him full circle.

Clem recently got the full-time position at Albertsons as their official "Greeter" at the front door. They could not have picked a better person for the job. If you ever shop at Albertsons on E. 18th Street in Oakland, you'll probably be greeted by Clem with a smile. Or, just stop by and say, "Hi".

11-year old Boy in Hit-and-Run Accident

2006-08-30T23:29:00.000-07:00

11-year old Abdul Salih was less than a block from his house in West Oakland when he stepped off the curb and was hit by a hit-and-run driver. The accident left him with two broken legs, both fibia shattered.

Abdul was taken to Oakland Childrens Hospital where he underwent almost four hours of surgery and remained hospitalized for a week. CHO found out that Abdul still had to sleep in the same bed with his mother because she did not have the resources to purchase a bed for him. CHO contacted Random Acts and requested a bed for Abdul.

As fated, soon after we received the request from CHO, EMS Director Jean English contacted Random Acts to donate a boy's bedroom set, a sofabed couch, two TV's and computer furniture. Abdul's mother Nahid said she could use it all.

Random Acts board members Geoff Hunter and Manny Watson picked up the furniture. They were met at Abdul's house by Melvin Andrews and the Fire Crew from Station 1, 'B' shift, who had initially responded to the call when Abdul was injured. After the furniture was moved into the house, Jean presented two gift cards to Nahid from Random Acts. Nahid shed tears of joy and expressed her heartfelt thanks to the Oakland Firefighters.

New Wheelchair for Beverly Berry

2006-08-24T20:55:00.000-07:00

The fire crew at Station 16 'B' shift had responded on a few occasions to the residence of Beverly Berry who lives with her brother who is blind. On one of those occasions they found out that Beverly's wheelchair had been stolen. Beverly, who lives in a second floor apartment, has to be carried down a flight of stairs and placed in her wheelchair that is kept at the bottom of the stairs outside. One day the wheelchair disappeared.

Random Acts received a phone call from Firefighter Sean Brown who asked if we could get Beverly a new wheelchair. Random Acts contacted the Wheelchair Foundation which is located in the Blackhawk Auto Museum in Danville, California and has distributed over half a million wheelchairs to disabled people worldwide. They had one to give us, and the crew assembled it at the fire station.

The day the fire crew went to deliver the wheelchair to Beverly, she was not in the best of health and was not able to get up from the couch to sit in it and try it out. But, she was very grateful and thanked the crew who visited. Beverly has family members who come by to assist her, and they will be able to carry the wheelchair and her downstairs to take her for a ride.

Patten Academy Athletics

2006-08-18T16:00:00.000-07:00

Lt. Chris Landry and Station 13 presented a check for $500 to the Patten Academy Athletic Department to help purchase boys basketball uniforms. Accepting the check is Chris Higgenbothem. Also on hand were Joshua Marquez, Thomas Mowrer, Athletic Director Dr. Abraham Ruelas, and Principal Mrs. Sharon Anderson.

Duane Mower submitted the request to Random Acts.

Brenda Lee

2006-08-15T23:23:00.000-07:00

Occasionally, the Firefighters at Station 16, 'B' shift, would stop at Peet's Coffee on Lakeshore Avenue and run into Brenda Lee sitting on the bench outside, taking a break and sipping her morning cup of coffee. Brenda, who lives with her son on 39th Avenue in East Oakland, is rearing to go every morning after breakfast, boards the bus and visits all her favorite places across town. With the help of her aluminum walker she really gets around, and there's no stopping her. So, it was no surprise that when the Firefighters ran into Brenda they noticed that her walker was getting pretty worn out from all wear and tear. They told her they might be able to do something about that and would try to get her a new one.

Firefighter Paramedic Zac Hilton called Random Acts, told us the story of Brenda Lee, and asked if we could get her a new walker. Well, it just so happened that we had recently purchased some new walkers that were on sale so we could have them on hand just in case we received a request such as this one. We were very happy to get Zac's call and to be able to fulfill his request. We made arrangements with her son to have Brenda meet the Firefighters at Peet's Coffee this morning so we could present it to her. Unfortunately, Zac was off work today, but Brenda arrived right on time and was sitting at her usual spot of the bench waiting for the Firefighters to arrive.

When the Firefighters rolled out Brenda's brand new, bright shiny red walker on wheels, all the regulars who were packed into Peet's stopped and observed the commotion through the front window, while a crowd gathered out in front to watch the presentation. One woman was so touched by the Random Act of Kindness by the Firefighters that she said she wanted to cry. The fire crew adjusted the walker for Brenda's comfort and gave her a demonstration of how to use the walker safely. Brenda was pretty overwhelmed and speechless by it all, so she just did what came naturally. She broke into a heartfelt song and sang her Thanks to the Firefighters. They were thoroughly entertained, and we could only imagine what a crooner Brenda must have been in her younger days.

So, if you're ever walking by Peet's Coffee and happen to see Brenda Lee sitting at her usual spot on the bench out in front sipping her coffee and guarding her new red walker, stop and say, "Hi Brenda, nice walker". She might even sing you a song.

Citizen Hero Javier Guerra

2006-08-04T11:08:00.000-07:00

A Citizen Hero Award was presented at Station 18 'C' shift today to Javier Guerra, who accepted the award with his wife and three children. On March 22, 2006, Javier rescued and helped to evacuate a grandmother and her two grandchildren from a house fire by grabbing them and exiting the house when they were reluctant to leave.

A Surprise Birthday Party

2006-07-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

Oakland Childrens Hospital contacted Random Acts with a request for an 11-year old girl whose 5-year sister has cancer and is not expected to live. Their names are being withheld here to protect their privacy. The devoted and adoring older sister has constantly been by the side of her younger sister who has been receiving chemotherapy and radiation for the past two years. In the past few months, her tumor has been progressing and she is not likely to survive for more than a few months. The older sister, who also serves as translator for her Spanish speaking parents, has missed out on many things in the past two years as her family's focus has been on the younger sister. The family has limited resources and is unable to do much to celebrate her upcoming birthday. Recently, when Firefighters from Station 8 "C" shift presented the family with gift cards and toys, the mother was go grateful that tears were streaming down her face.

When nurses at Childrens Hospital decided to throw her a surprise birthday party, they asked the older sister what she wanted. The first thing she said was for her younger sister "to be cured". After her tears stopped, she said "to see her smile". Ultimately, she admitted that she would like an I-Pod. Being a big fan of Tinkerbell, she also wanted a Tinkerball blanket, sheets and pillowcases. Random Acts provided the I-Pod and Tinkerball bedding assessories "Con Mucho Amor de Los Bomberos de Oakland ("With much love from Oakland Firefighters"). Afterward, Random Acts received this e-mail that made our day: "Thanks for the I-Pod and all the birthday presents!!! This was the greatest day of my life!! God bless you. You are nice people. Oh, and thank thank the Firemen, too. Wish you were here!!".

Jaee Logan

2006-07-19T17:20:00.000-07:00

During Christmas 2004, Oakland Firefighters visited the home of Jay Logan to bring presents to his children. Pictured here is his, then 5-year old, daughter loaded with gifts. On July 2, 2006, Jay Logan's 14-year old son, Jaee, was tragically slain while waiting for friends on his way to a barbeque. The loving son and football player was shot in the 800 block of 45th Street.

A year and a half later, we did not forget our initial meeting and visit with Jay Logan. We contacted Lt. Adrian Sheppard at Station 5, 'B' shift, to inquire about the tragic incident, only to learn that Lt. Sheppard is family friends with Jay Logan's family. We wanted to give Jay's, now 7-year old, daughter a bicycle and some toys, so Adrian arranged for Jaee Logan's 25-year old sister to come by Station 5 to pick up the gifts. Majal was very grateful and appreciative for the gifts and expressed her desire to do something to end the senseless violence in the streets of Oakland that is taking the lives of so many young people. Jay Logan has created an organization called S.A.V.O.Y. - STOP ALL VIOLENCE ON YOUTH - an organization dedicated to ending violence on youth in Oakland.

Bearing Gifts

2006-07-19T16:53:00.000-07:00

Station 5, 'B' shift, visited a house on 34th Avenue bearing gifts and good will to a family that was involved in a shooting incident one year ago where five people had been shot. The tragic incident, to which the crew had responded, took the life of a woman's nephew and left her to care for his four children in addition to two of her own. Recently, while the same crew responded to a medical incident at another house next door, they encountered this family sitting on their porch still grieving their loss a year later. The Firefighters returned to visit them today bringing toys and sporting equipment for the children and an Albertsons gift card and a cosmetics gift bag for the woman. Regardless of how long it is after an incident occurs, the healing process goes on indefinately.