Zion Professional Firefighters Local 1999 and Zion Firefighters Fundraising Inc. will be hosting the 1st Annual Trivia Night Fundraiser on February 24, 2012. Get your team and sign up now for a great night of food, fun, and trivia with cash prizes to the top teams. For only $200 a table ($25 per person with 8 people on a team) you can join us as we raise money for 3 worthy local causes. All proceeds from the fundraiser will be going to Muscular Dystrophy Association, Zee Bee Athletic Boosters, and National Association of Downs Syndrome. Entry fee includes dinner the night of the event. Can't get a team together? Please support these great charities by purchasing a commemorative t-shirt or get in on our progressive cash raffle. The more tickets sold, the higher the prize. T-shirts are $10 for sizes M-XL and $15 for XXL. Cash raffle tickets are $10 each with 1st prize starting at $750 and increasing as tickets are sold. For more information or to purchase t-shirts or raffle tickets please call 847-746-4036 and ask for FF/PM Jason Messick or FF/PM Rick Reich. Attached you will find the entry forms in Word or Adobe pdf file for this event. Get your team today. Limited space is available!

There will also be Fundraiser T-Shirts available. $10  for M-XL and $15 for XXL-XXXL

Thanks go out to Tim Olk, Master Fire Service Photographer of the Chicago Metro Area:

A Firefighter Meets God:

The firefighter stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass.

“Step forward now, you firefighter, how shall I deal with you?  Have you always turned the other cheek?  To my commandments have you been true?”

The firefighter squared his shoulders and said,

“No, Lord, I guess I ain’t, Because those of us who fight fire, can’t always be a saint.”

“I’ve had to work on Sunday’s, and at times my talk was tough, Sometimes I’ve been violent, because the streets are awfully rough.”

“But I never took a penny, that wasn’t mine to keep… Though I had to work a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep.”

“I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear, And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept unmanly tears.”

“If you’ve a place here for me, Lord, it needn’t be so grand, I’ve never expected or had too much, and I will understand.”

There was a silence all around the throne where the saints had often trod, As the firefighter waited quietly, for the judgement of his God.

“Step forward now you firefighter, you’ve borne your burdens well, Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets, you’ve done your time in hell.” - Author Unknown

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of our Telecommunicator, Sharon Mirr, who passed away today.  With over 28 years of service to the Zion Police and Fire Departments, she will always be remembered for her utmost professionalism, knowledge of the job and the presence she made to always "be your back".  She was the "Voice" of Northeastern Illinois.  She had the uncanny ability to handle police, fire service, and MABAS radio communications without a hitch and the ability to switch to each of them using the proper vocabulary and procedures used for each service.  We will update when we have information on services.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Humility Church, 10655 W. Wadsworth Rd., Beach Park. Interment will follow at Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville, IL. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 29, 2011, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd., Zion. Memorial donations are preferred to the Our Lady of Humility Church Food Pantry or Save-A-Pet, Inc., Grayslake, IL. Please sign the online guest book at www.congdonfuneralhome.com.