Scarsdale Firefighters Host HELP Haven Kids

Members of the Scarsdale Uniformed Firefighters Association Local 1394 recently hosted a contingent of youngsters at the firehouse as part of volunteer effort to teach children what it means to be a firefighter.

The students, aged 2-4, are part of HELP Haven, a New York emergency shelter that provides temporary housing and job training for victims of domestic abuse and their children.

In addition to getting to wear firefighter helmets, the children pretended to steer the fire truck, sprayed the hose, learned about all the equipment and tools firefighters use, and met with local policemen for a tour of their station. The late-October day ended with a special Halloween luncheon pizza party at the Houlihan Lawrence corporate headquarters in Rye Brook.

Houlihan Lawrence, a renowned area real estate company, sponsored the event and helped fund the renovation of HELP Haven’s children’s day care and teen center rooms.

“There are no words that adequately describe how truly grateful we are to all those involved in this generous task,” said Rachel Halperin, executive director of HELP Haven, in a statement. “The rooms are already up and running, and it’s a joy to see how excited the kids are to use their new welcoming and safe space.”