By Shawn Nowlin
There is a nationwide effort to hydrate local heroes and the community is invited to participate.
Now in its ninth year, H2O For Heroes is a nationwide bottled water drive by Firehouse Subs that aims to equip first responder organizations and community groups with the water supplies they need to support the community’s most vulnerable. Beneficiaries of the drive will be local police and fire departments, senior and community centers and emergency victims.
Guests who bring an unopened, 24-pack of bottled water into any of the local Firehouse Subs on event day will receive a free medium sub of their choice. Last year, the event was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, donations are needed more than ever.
Many parts of the United States experienced unprecedented temperatures in June, resulting in an increased risk of wildfires and heat-related illnesses.
“It’s never been more important to support our firefighting communities,” said Firehouse Subs Franchisee Chris Morris. “Many people might not know, but wildland firefighters can work in 16-day cycles out in the heat under very grueling conditions. It’s really important to me and my fellow restaurant owners to be able to help them and our local communities stay hydrated during this time, and we’re honored to partner with our guests to make that happen.”
In 2012, H20 for Heroes began by Phoenix-area franchisees Jerry and Windy Griffith as an initiative to encourage bottled water donations.
Since expanding in 2016, Firehouse Subs, its franchisees and guests have donated more than four million bottles of water to public safety departments, emergency victims and senior and community centers, with nearly half being collected in 2019 alone. A partner of Firehouse Subs, Coca-Cola will be donating 5,000 cases of DASANI water to first responders and community organizations in support of this year’s H2O For Heroes.
“We are proud of the fact that hundreds of Firehouse Subs franchisees have partnered with Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to donate more than 100,000 meals to healthcare workers and first responders across the nation over the last year,” Erin Neves, Firehouse Subs Manager of Public Relations, said. To date, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has provided over $309,000 in grants to Roanoke area first responders, including both the Salem and Fort Lewis Fire & EMS teams.”
In Roanoke, there is a Firehouse Subs located at 2019 Colonial Avenue, at 5050 Rutgers Street and at 5044 Keagy Road. The City of Salem location is at 1421 West Main Street.
The Firehouse Subs app is now available for download. More information and details can also be found at firehousesubs.com.