Seeking your donations for the Firefighters of Alytus

On October 16, 2019, a devastating fire took place at the Ekologistika tire recycling/storage facility in Alytus, Lithuania. It took firefighters more than a week to extinguish the fire. Initially lacking the needed fire safety equipment, the firefighters nevertheless bravely and selflessly battled the fire.

A large portion of the roof of the facility collapsed making the conditions even more perilous and difficult for the firefighters. Poisonous levels of chemicals from the burning tires were released into the air and water and scientists and doctors have since released reports indicating the dangerously toxic levels of chemicals and substances subsequently found in the firefighters and in the environment.

The International Sister Cities of Rochester, NY has a sister cities relationship with the city of Alytus and its Alytus-Rochester Sister Cities Committee is raising funds for the firefighters of Alytus to help them cope with any resulting health issues. The funds are needed to help the firefighters and their families offset any potential losses to income as a result of the time needed to seek treatment.

Our campaign is seeking to raise $2,500 for each firefighter (45 firefighters for a total of $112,500). Please consider making a donation to help these individuals who have risked their lives to help the people of Alytus. The Alytus-Rochester Sister Cities Committee has set up the Firefighters of Alytus Fund on the website GoFundMe. You may go to this site to make a donation or you may write a check payable to International Sister Cities of Rochester, Inc., and write Alytus Firefighters Fund on the memo line and send your check to Jolanda Chesonis, Chairperson, Alytus-Rochester Sister Cities Committee, 843 Cottage Cove Lane, Webster, NY 14580. (Your donation is tax deductible).

Should you have any questions, please contact us at: (585)506-6652 or email: alytusrochestersistercities@gmail.com. We would greatly appreciate it if you could please submit your donations by February 15, 2020.