Town of Canton
VOLUNTEER
Fire and EMS Department
V aluing Life…. at a Moment’s Notice
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Distribution
Contact: Sylvia Cancela, (860) 559-4774,
Public Relations Officer, Town of
Canton, Fire & EMS Department
Ben & Jerry’s Raises Over $2,500.00 for Canton’s Bravest
Free Cone Day Reaches 9-Year Total of Over $18,000 in Donations
Canton, CT April 8, 2014…. With this year’s Free Cone Day coinciding with the Grand
Re-Opening of Ben & Jerry’s at The Shoppes at Farmington Valley, co owners Brandi
and Phil Killoran had a big goal on their minds. They wanted to break last year’s record
of $2,000.00 in donations to the Town of Canton Volunteer Fire & EMS Department.
It was a good day.
Some patrons showed up just to enjoy the free, super premium ice cream and to check out
the beautiful new Ben & Jerry’s store, with its expanded seating and new menu items.
There is even a custom mural with a kayaking cow.
But most of the people, who traveled from all over the region, also came out to thank and
support Canton’s volunteer firefighters and EMTs. By the end of Free Cone Day, their
donations totaled $2,509.18.
This brings the grand total of donations to the Department, from Ben & Jerry’s Free
Cone Days – 2005 to 2014 - to over $18,000.00.
From noon until 8:00 p.m., volunteer firefighters, EMTs, Fire Police and Cadets spoke
with the lines of people who stood in rain, then wind, then even some sunshine as they
waited to be served one of over 5000 cones and cups of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream that
would be scooped for free that day.
Once their ice cream was secured, attendees enjoyed tours of Canton’s Engines 1 and 4
and the Ambulance. Many of the younger patrons, and some older ones too, also paid a
visit with fire celebrity, Sparky the Dog.
“This was the best Free Cone Day ever,” said Phil Killoran. “We want to thank everyone
in the community and beyond who came out. We love supporting Canton’s volunteer
firefighters and EMTs.”
Department Chief Richard Hutchings summed up the day. “As always, 100% of these
donations will be applied toward the purchase of new equipment and tools for our
volunteers. We thank our community partners, Phil and Brandi Killoran of Ben & Jerry’s
and all those who donated, for their continued generosity and support of our work.”
Anyone interested in joining the Town of Canton Volunteer Fire & EMS Department
can visit www.cantonfireandems.org, or drop by the Collinsville or Canton firehouses
Monday evenings during the Department’s weekly practice drill at 7:00 p.m.
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