The Flamin’ Hotties – A Unique Group brought together by Fire and Cancer
There’s that look again. That scrunched up, confused look that we get from people when we first mention our team, The Flamin’ Hotties. A look that quickly disappears and is replaced with a laugh and a smile once they understand who we are and why we call ourselves that. A name that you rarely forget after you have heard it just once.
The Flamin’ Hotties is a group made up of women. Women who share many things in common. We are all daughters, wives, mothers and friends who were brought together through one main connection – the Shawnee Fire Department. Each and every one of us is married to a firefighter, or is themselves a firefighter for this department. Now you can connect the dots between us and our name.
In 2005 our former Fire Chief’s wife, Charlene Hartley, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. This caught the attention of several firefighter wives who knew immediately that they wanted to show their support. The thought that Charlene would be facing a disease that can take so much was unthinkable, and they leaped in to action. In just three weeks time, these women pulled together their first fundraiser in support of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Shawnee & Lenexa . . . and the Flamin’ Hotties were born.
This small group of women also quickly realized that most everyone has been touched by this disease in one way or another. Whether it was a personal encounter with cancer, or through a family member or friend, they were not alone within this department. Since then, the Flamin’ Hotties have invited all spouses on the Shawnee Fire Department to participate and what originated amongst a handful, now stand at 20+. Little did we all know then, that it would actually open doors we had never imagined.
A team that was developed during Charlene’s battle soon became bigger than its original purpose. Friendships that may have otherwise never formed between others now had a reason to grow and flourish. This team has given us all a chance to come together and support each other in many ways, in turn creating a second family. A second family that we used to chalk up to only our husbands and their co-workers is now made up of our entire families. A firefighting family that became much stronger than ever before. Not only were we supporting each other in our efforts to raise the awareness on cancer, but in numbers we found strength to reach out beyond those needs to benefit other organizations and individuals. We are now recognized by our local American Cancer Society chapter as one of the top fundraising teams, but have also received various awards and recommendations within our Shawnee community.
To date, following our most recent 2011 annual fundraiser, the Flamin’ Hotties have raised close to $90,000 – most of which has been given directly to our local American Cancer Society Chapter. We volunteer our time at various events throughout our community, and come together annually to support Charlene (now a SURVIVOR!) and others at Relay For Life. She is a constant reminder to us all that there is a reason to fight when life throws you a challenge, and that having a support system in place makes a huge difference when and if that time comes. We stand by our motto as we continue to ‘Wage a War’ on cancer in hopes that our children, the next generation of Hotties and beyond, will some day live in a cancer free world!
“Let us be a flicker of hope in the darkness and sorrow. Let us be warmth and comfort when there seems to be no tomorrow. Let us be a ladder to lean on when your strength is all gone. Let us help carry the burden so you can fight on!”
Find us on Facebook by seraching Flamin Hotties Group or visit our Blog – www.FlaminHotties.blogspot.com
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