Loma Linda and Colton Fire Departments donate $1,550 to LLUCH

LOMA LINDA>> Members of Loma Linda and Colton Fire Departments teamed up with the owners of Quaid Harley-Davidson on Wednesday, Dec. 14, to present officials of Loma Linda University Children's Hospital (LLUCH) a check in the amount of $1,550. The funds were raised during a special 9/11 Memorial Ceremony and Ride, which was held Sept. 11. Tim McHargue, fire chief of the East Valley Fire Department, discussed the tradition of firefighters being involved with the community and expressed his appreciation for the healing that takes place at Children's Hospital every day. "I personally want to thank you for the pride I see you taking in our community," McHargue stated. Jeff Bender, fire chief for the Loma Linda Fire Department, thanked the Loma Linda Firefighter's Association for their ongoing effort in support of causes and projects within the community, especially those involving Loma Linda University Health and Children's Hospital. "I appreciate it when I see the pride they take in our organizations and our city," Bender said. Speaking on behalf of Glenn Quaid and the entire Quaid family, Brandon Quaid observed that as a collective group, bikers comprise the largest charity donors in the country. "We were blown away by having 400 bikers show up at our store on 9/11," Quaid observed. "We’re just really pleased and we look forward to the future. Thank you, guys. We really appreciate it.” At the end of the presentation, Tiffany Hoekstra, senior development officer for corporate champions at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Foundation, noted that proceeds from the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony and Ride were shared equally between the hospital and the Warrior Built Foundation, an organization that exists to help and encourage wounded veterans. Hoekstra called on a willing volunteer, a patient of Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, to help her give a small gift of appreciation--a plaque showing a fire truck, an American flag, and a motorcycle drawn by Children's Hospital patients--to the representatives of the participating fire departments and Quaid Harley-Davidson. Afterward, Scott Perryman, MBA, senior vice president and administrator of LLUCH, commented on the generosity of spirit that motivated the donation. “Our Loma Linda and Colton Fire Departments are a huge part of the emergency preparedness and response effort that our communities depend on," Perryman said. "It does not end there however. They serve in many other ways throughout the year which includes the 9/11 Memorial Ride. We are also grateful for the Quaid family and for all the support they have shown our Children’s Hospital. We could not wish for better friends for the Children’s Hospital than the Loma Linda Fire Department, Colton Fire Department and Quaid Harley-Davidson.”