I have arranged to have a group of toddlers tour our local fire station for my son's birthday. Does anyone know if it is customary to offer a donation of some sort to the fire department for doing this for us? I thought about baking cookies but didn't know if something else was more appropriate, and I feel silly calling to call and ask!
I'm with Megan, if the station is a Volenteer. My son volunteers and they are alwasy in need of some kid of equipment.
My husband is a fireman & they don't ask for anything for the tours. . . it's done as a community service. That being said, they ALWAYS love food! You could just take a basket with a variety of treats/snacks & then send a thank you note to that particular station/shift (that way the right guys get it) with a picture of the kids at the party. Maybe the birthday child could write (or draw) the thank you note & that would mean even more to them. I hope that helps!
My husband is a firefighter. FOOD is the answer! Any food! Plan on there being about 6 firefighters on shift during your tour.
Hi M.,
Oh what a fun thing to do. We toured a fire house in Feb for my 3 year old nephew's birthday. I was surprised how "into" it the toddlers were. We had kids ages 1-8 on the tour. My daughter is 2 1/2 and still talks about it. They got to slide down the fire pole (not the whole length just from the height the fireman would hoist them to), saw the alarm lights and heard the alarm bells that go off during the night, climbed on the old steam engine and the fire trucks, tried on the turn-outs/helmet, and the captain also helped each child spray the fire hose at a cone. It was a great outing.
I think taking some large cupcakes (either homemade or the big ones from Costco) would be appreciated. You may also want to send a thank you note with a photo of the kids in front of the fire truck with the firemen. I like the suggestion from a previous poster to send in a donation when they have their next fundraiser.
Best wishes, K.
I did this for my son's 4th birthday last year. 3 different firefighters asked me where the birthday cake was when I showed up. I had no idea I could bring the cake, but they were actually expecting it. I would call and ask for sure. How fun for your son if they let you do the cake part of his party at the firestation.
I ended up taking brownies afterwards, but its hard to tell if the guys giving the tour received them or not, since they work different shifts.
I'd call a different fire station and ask them what they like to receive. My mom loves to take a basket full of fruit at Christmas to her firestation. Cute idea for the party. Just curious....and not to put a damper on things, but what happens if there is a call that pulls the trucks and firemen away?
Have fun. I'm sure anything you give them will be appreciated.
I'm sure the sweets would be appreciated but you might also consider having the kids make thank you notes to the firemen and maybe making a small monetary donation to the fire department.
How about telling them you'll have pizza or chicken or some other meal delivered to them (for lunch or that evening) as a thank-you for their help? I think you should let them know you're going to do it so they don't make something else before your food gets there.
I think taking cookies, cake, or even having pizza delivered would be fine. I don't know if anyone that would be there for the tour would know what to do with a monetary donation the day of a tour. Our local VFD sends out fundraising stuff all of the time. I would just be sure to donate the next time I see it.
M.
