MILWAUKEE — Firefighters are just one division of heroes who serve our communities; and in Milwaukee specifically they continue to find ways to help others, through Ignite the Spirit-Milwaukee, to serve those who go beyond the call of duty placed on them as firefighters.
Ignite The Spirit-Milwaukee under the direction of Joe Flick organized a 'Pedal for the Brave Memorial Bicycle Ride' which left Milwaukee on Friday, August 21st. Flick, a Fire Lieutenant with the Milwaukee Fire Department, along with 13 firefighters and a couple of civilians started their 170 mile long journey to the Wisconsin Fallen Firefighter memorial which is located in Wisconsin Rapids. The riders are expected to arrive at the memorial site Saturday, August 22nd, where a brief speech from Joe Flick will take place honoring the men and women firefighters who have died.
The ride this year, as the inaugural year for the annual event, holds special significance as a way to memorialize the late Fire Lieutenant Kristen Ciganek-Schroder who passed away from her battle with duty-related cancer in December of 2017, according to Ignite the Spirit. Some of the funds raised through the Pedal for the Brave Memorial Bicycle Ride will go toward a scholarship in Lt. Ciganek-Schroder's honor to support women entering the fire business. Joe Flick says Lt. Ciganek-Schroder's death in 2017 is part of the reason Ignite the Spirit Milwaukee exists today.
Ignite the Spirit aims to provide emotional and physical support as well as financial assistance to Milwaukee Firefighters, a statement says on their website.
The Ignite the Spirit website also says, "Firefighters are known to go to great lengths to help others in need. Ignite the Spirit - Milwaukee aims to ensure that our Brothers and Sisters are not left to battle life’s hardships alone".
The way they are able to make sure Firefighters in need do not go without help is through donations from the public. Donations come in the form of Services, products, monetary as well as volunteering your time.
To learn more about ways you can support Ignite the Spirit-Milwaukee click here: http://www.ignitethespiritmke.org/donate.html
Joe Flick and his work with Ignite the Spirit-Milwaukee earned him a Positively Milwaukee award in 2019.
If you know a local hero who deserves to be recognized for their work nominate them for a Positively Milwaukee award.
