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SANIBEL FIREFIGHTERS BENEVOLENT FUND
The Sanibel Firefighters Benevolent Fund is selling two styles of T-shirts.

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SANIBEL FIREFIGHTERS BENEVOLENT FUND
The Sanibel Firefighters Benevolent Fund is selling two styles of T-shirts.

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SANIBEL FIREFIGHTERS BENEVOLENT FUND
The Sanibel Firefighters Benevolent Fund recently released its Sanibel Firefighters 2026 Calendar.


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The community is invited to enjoy a meal, while supporting island firefighters in need and more.

The Sanibel Firefighters Benevolent Fund will host its inaugural First Annual Pancake Breakfast on Dec. 6 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District’s Fire Station 171 on Sanibel.

“It’s our first time doing it,” Ed Zarick, district vice president for the island’s District 17 — part of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1826 — and a Sanibel fire district engineer, said.

He explained that District 17 started the Sanibel Firefighters Benevolent Fund a couple of months ago. The funds are typically used to raise funds to support firefighters and their families in times of need.

“We’re also doing it to help out the island,” Zarick said. “We want to work with CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife), we want to work with FISH (of Sanibel-Captiva) — we also want to help out our residents.”

The proceeds from the first-ever fundraiser will benefit the Sanibel Firefighters Benevolent Fund, which is an independent organization and not affiliated with or sponsored by the Sanibel fire district.

“The pancake breakfast was one of the few things we came up with to jumpstart our fund,” he said, noting that it will also raise awareness. “We’re hoping it’s a success. We’re hoping to do it every year.”

Taking place in the fire station’s apparatus bay, there will be fluffy pancakes and refreshments.

“We’re going to be making pancakes, fresh there on griddles,” Zarick said.

“A few of our firefighters are going to be serving those,” he added.

Refreshments will include orange juice and water.

“Also hot coffee,” Zarick said. “We’ll have that going.”

They will share information about the Sanibel Firefighters Benevolent Fund and intent behind it.

In addition, the fund will have its new Sanibel Firefighters 2026 Calendar available for purchase.

“Some of the guys that were in the calendar will be signing them,” he said.

The fund also has two styles of T-shirts — one is holiday themed — which will be available to buy.

“Again, all proceeds from the shirts and the calendars goes to the fund,” Zarick said.

A donation per plate is requested, with no set recommended amount.

“Hopefully, they will donate what they want to contribute to the fund,” he said.

The public is encouraged to come out.

“The Sanibel community has an extra special attachment to its firefighters,” Zarick said, noting that he has worked in the county for about two decades. “I’ve never seen a community like the Sanibel fire district has with its community.”

“This is a way that can all get together — and have a great breakfast,” he added. “And it’s not only helping our firefighters, it’s helping our community.”

For more information, visit https://www.sanibelfirefighters.com/ or contact contact@sanibelfirefighters.com

Fire Station 171 is at 2351 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel.

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IF YOU GO

What

First Annual Pancake Breakfast

Who

Sanibel Firefighters Benevolent Fund

When

Dec. 6 from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

Where

Sanibel Fire and Rescue District’s Fire Station 171, 2351 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel

Details

Requested donation per plate