Albany Herald

ALBANY — Officials with the Albany Fire Department say that, after the costs for producing their 2013 calendars were offset, there was still enough to donate $1,000 to charity.

The “Albany Fire and Rescue 2013 Calendar” went on sale for $12 in October, featuring Albany firefighters dressed in issue jumpers from the waist down. A signing for the calendars was held at the Walmart on Cordele Road, and they were later made available for purchase at the fire stations located on North Jackson Street and Meredyth Drive.

The proceeds will be benefiting the needy and homeless seeking services from the Salvation Army — A Place for Hope.

When speaking to the significance of the calendar sales, Donald Jackson, calendar sales coordinator and firefighter, indicated that raising the money was an extension of what the city’s firefighters already do — serve the public.

“It is our job to do things for the community,” he said. “This is something that we do.”

Jackson, who serves as an apparatus operator engineer for the department, said that he has sold 247 calendars himself, indicating that the 2013 cycle is among the most successful the AFD has had in terms of sales.

“I believe ($1,000) is the most we have given (to charity) through this calendar,” he said. “That’s a big accomplishment.”

The check was presented at the Salvation Army on Monday. The department is looking to possibly take on an additional non-profit for the 2014 calendars, Jackson said.

The hope is that the calendar productions will continue, and even more money can be raised in the years to come.

“(Selling these calendars) is a group effort,” Jackson said. “It’s not just the 13 guys (directly involved). It took the whole department.”

Jackson said the calendars continue to be on sale at the North Jackson Street and Meredyth Drive stations for $10. They will be sold through the first quarter of 2013 or until the supply runs out, whichever comes first, he said.