by Michael Salerno
For Hometown News
PONCE INLET - Town firefighters will think pink to raise money for breast cancer research.
Town Council members recently gave permission to the Ponce Inlet Professional Firefighters to wear pink uniform shirts during the month of October in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Firefighters not only will wear the pink shirts themselves, but will also sell pink shirts for $20 to raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a nationally recognized charitable organization that aims to end breast cancer. Citizens who wish to donate money instead of purchasing the T-shirt can make a donation to the Ponce Inlet Professional Firefighters.
One firefighter, Lt. Mike Young, recently spoke at a council meeting about the fire department's effort. Firefighters also wore and sold the pink shirts last year, raising $1,500 through T-shirt sales and donations.
He said finding a cure for cancer was a "personal cause" for him.
"My grandmother had breast cancer and she was treated successfully," Lt. Young said. "She survived it and we got another 20 years with her. So it's near and dear (to me)."
The shirts, available in solid pink or black with pink highlights, will be sold at the fire station at 4680 S. Peninsula Drive while firefighters are on duty. Lt. Young said the shirts proved popular with residents and town employees.
Mayor Gary Smith expressed support for the effort, saying it was a way of giving back that did not require spending any taxpayer dollars.
"Obviously, all it does is take a little bit of your time and effort because it costs the town nothing," he said. "We get something back and we're giving back to somebody else."
In other business, the town council:
. Approved a revised request for proposals for legal services seeking new legal representation to succeed outgoing town attorney Cliff Shepard, who plans to step down after a new attorney is hired
. Approved a $67,000 contract with Hall Construction for restroom improvements at Kay and Ayre Davies Lighthouse Park
. Approved co-sponsoring the Lighthouse Fish Fry on Nov. 3 for the purpose of using the town's means of advertising.