MEDIA OP - Branchville Volunteers Deliver Thanksgiving Food Baskets to Families in Need


MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us     @PGFDPIO

In what has become an annual tradition just before the Thanksgiving Holiday a volunteer fire/EMS department is preparing to do more.  The Branchville Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue Squad, Inc. is an all-volunteer department that operates within the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS combined system.  The station is located in North College Park.

The volunteer membership has received a list of pre-identified families from a local public elementary school that are in need of assistance in order to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with family and loved ones.

The membership, including the Departments Ladies Auxiliary, will gather at the station on Sunday, November 23, at about 10:30 am to fill 16 food baskets with items purchased by the station.  Items include food products typically served on Thanksgiving including turkeys with all the trimmings. 

At about 1:00 pm, the food baskets will be loaded on-board Branchvilles Fire/EMS apparatus with the caravan of units departing to personally visit each of the 16 homes located within a short distance over the next couple of hours to deliver the bountiful food baskets.

While firefighters are making their visits they will also check the families smoke alarms.  If an alarm is absent or found non-working a new 10-year smoke alarm will be installed by firefighters, free of charge.

Branchville Volunteer President Ron Leizear Sr. stated, “We are doing our part as a member of the community to make the Thanksgiving Holiday festive and joyful for those that need some assistance.  Providing these baskets makes our membership feel as thankful as the families we visit, truly a wonderful event for everyone involved.”

The Branchville Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue Squad, Inc. has extended an invitation to members of the media that may want to cover this story of giving and thanks. 

WHAT:            Thanksgiving Food Basket Delivery

WHEN:            Sunday, November 23,
                        10:30 am – filling the food baskets at the Fire/EMS Station
                        1:00 pm – departing station with 16 food baskets to make deliveries
                        (1st delivery will have media clearance pre-arranged)

WHERE:         Branchville Volunteer Fire/EMS Station
                        4905 Branchville Road, College Park, MD 20740
                        301-474-1550

WHO:              Volunteer members of Branchville and pre-identified 16 families 

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