By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
Those attending the Kentucky Firefighters Association Conference in Northern Kentucky, which kicks off tomorrow, will get a surprise gift at Monday’s opening session.
As part of the National Celebrate Services Week initiative, meetNKY partnered with Build-A-Bear Workshop to create 200 stuffed teddy bears for the state’s firefighters.
The stuffing, which took place at meetNKY’s Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitor’s Bureau office in Covington Thursday, included about 40 volunteers of all ages.
“Some are friends and family; some are from the hotels, the convention center and members of meetNKY staff,” said Carla Quercioli Senior Convention Services/Housing Manager for meetNKY. “The bears will be presented Monday morning at the opening general session of the conference and they will disperse them amongst all the departments and EMS.”
MeetNKY president and CEO Eric Summe said the organization is thrilled to welcome the KFA to Northern Kentucky for the 2016 convention.
“We look forward to the outstanding events this organization has planned for their members at the Convention Center and at the Marriott and Embassy Suites RiverCenter hotels in Covington,” Summe said.
“Our staff has worked closely with the Northern Kentucky Firefighters Association, the Build-a-Bear folks, and our local hospitality partners to put together this event. It’s a great opportunity for our group tourism community to come together in celebration and service to help support Kentucky’s firefighters and EMS professionals, who do so much to keep Kentucky’s citizens and communities safe.”
Members of meetNKY belong to the Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA). Every year the organization recognizes National Celebrate Services Week, an initiative promoted as a way to “give back” to the community.
Quercioli said that the conference dates coincided with National Celebrate Services Week, which presented the perfect opportunity to involve the community in a service project that gives back to the Kentucky firefighters. She expected some community support, but was surprised by the number of volunteers that showed up.
“I knew that we would have some people that would help, but I didn’t expect this,” Quercioli said. “Some of the hotels who don’t even have room blocks for the conference are helping.”
KFA president and Alexandria Fire Chief Jeff Pohlman said the show of community support for a state conference that takes place in his own backyard, is a source of great pride.
“Guys in our profession love doing what they do, but when you get that little help from the public and different organizations, you can do nothing but thank them,” Pohlman said.
Teddy bears may seem like an unusual gift for firefighters, but Pohlman said they will be put to good use. The Build-A-Bears will be distributed to conference members who have ambulances.
Pohlman said that sometimes a small gift, such as a teddy bear can help children, or even, adults forget for a moment about what is usually a very traumatic experience.
“It’s very devastating and it’s really hard to understand what people are thinking during a disaster, such as a tornado or fire,” Pohlman said. “People expect to come back home and they can’t so any little comfort you can give them, especially the kids, can be a help. Sometimes they just need something to hug.”
It is not uncommon, he said for children to cherish the gift they get under those circumstances their whole lives, and even pass it on to their kids.
The KFA conference runs through August 2 and includes firefighters from across the Commonwealth.
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com