Drink a Beer for the Wildland Firefighters

It is that time of the year again when wildland firefighters risk their lives to battle forest fires. After a record-breaking winter, we can expect summer to be filled with a high risk of wildfire.  Time and time again, Coors Banquet provides recognition, assistance and support to these firefighters and their families. Several years ago, Coors Banquet created the Protect Our West (POW) campaign to support Western firefighters by offering financial support to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation (WFF).

For every Coors Banquet case or case equivalent sold, Coors donates .25 cents to this organization. This annual campaign starts in May and ends in early September, and is available in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The Protect Our West campaign has raised over $1 million for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation since its creation, according to the MillerCoors website.

Based in Boise, Idaho, the Wildland Firefighter Foundation provides aid to firefighters who are injured while battling grass or forest fires throughout the Western region. The Foundation also supports families of fallen or injured wildland firefighters. Support could include helping with travel costs to bring family members or friends to an injured firefighter’s bedside, or helping to replace lost wages during a firefighter’s medical leave.

WFF also hosts events and memorials to honor fallen firefighters. One popular event, the Family Fire Weekend held each May, brings together family members and friends of wildland firefighters. They’ll provide support for each other and also remember deceased firefighters.

The Coors Brewing Company is a regional division of the world’s third-largest brewing company, the Molson Coors Brewing Company. Coors operates a brewery in Golden, Colorado, which is the largest single brewery facility in the world, according to the Oxford Companion to Beer.

Next time you’re hosting or heading to a summer get-together, grab some Coors Banquet to bring along. In addition to enjoying a great beer, you know you’re helping the Wildland Firefighter Foundation — a worthy cause!