On May 30th, thirteen new firefighter recruits from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) graduated from their year of training to join a profession that requires mental fortitude, physical stamina, and exceptional customer service. For decades at TVF&R, each recruit academy has fulfilled their own tradition: presenting the Fire Chief and District with a gift as a token of gratitude to all the staff and personnel who help guide them through their development. Before their first official shift at a fire station, the recruit class of 2014 established a new precedent and directed their altruism toward children and their families in need at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

Cody Nichols, along with fellow recruit Maya Gross, conceived the idea and hope that future TVF&R recruit academies will follow their lead. Nichols states, “Children are among our most vulnerable population that we serve and it can be especially challenging when they are fighting illness and can’t meet basic needs.“ Sandra Westfall, M.S., C.L.L.S., manager of the Child Life Program at OHSU Doernbecher adds, “Being in the hospital can be a stressful experience for the patient and their family. This gift from TVF&R will help ease that stress and help in the children’s development during their hospital experience.”

Read the recent story from the Portland Tribune and see more photos on our Facebook page.