Make a Donation to Support Our Trip to Argentina

airplanetosa-wtextThe L.A. County Fire Explorer Program is a non-profit organization program and is a positive alternative to more than 35 young men and women (ages 15-21) who come from a variety of cultural, sociological and economic backgrounds.  Every Sunday Explorers meet at Fire Station 187 in Pomona, CA, where they train and spend an average of 4 hours learning areas of fire service skills, ladder evolutions and  techniques, as well as classroom instruction on Fire Safety, EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) which is the first step toward a career in fire service.  More importantly, the Explorers gain valuable life-skills, such as the value of teamwork, cooperation, patience and perseverance—principles that provide a strong foundation for their future.

Explorer-Post-19Under the guidance of veteran Firefighter, Roland Dykes, Advisor of Post 19 Fire Explorers, understands the needs of the youth and stresses the importance of education and responsibility.  Firefighter Dykes believes, the success of our program is not by the hands of one, but by the hands of many.

The Parent Booster Committee’s goal is to equip each of our Explorers with needed equipment, tools and uniforms.  A large portion of our program is funded through fund raising and donations. The Explorers are dedicated to the goal of giving back to the community, and have been closely involved with the annual Spark of Love Toy Drive, the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s “Fill the Boot” campaign, L.A. County Fair (Explorers volunteer annually to assist the Fire Dept. personnel with the County booth) along with a host of other Community events.  Our explorer organization has had the opportunity in donating perishable food and Toys for Easter Baskets and Christmas at St. Denis Catholic Church in Diamond Bar and sister parish Our Lady of Guadalupe, Rose Hills in Los Angeles.

2-kidsAchievements of Post 19 include:

  • Post of the Year Award 2005
  • Winner of two Explorer of the year awards for 2004 (one given by Supervisor Knabe 4th District, who has also been supportive of  donation to Post 19)
  • The first post to establish a Parent Booster Committee for L.A. County’s Explorer Program

We have 32 Explorers, with a plan and set goal toward an educational fire safety excursion to Argentina in August, 2010 joining their Fire Department Crew.

Our Target – Trip to Argentina in August of 2010

At present we have 7 young men from San Bernardino County  as Certified Explorers.  This trip expense will be approximately $33,000.00.  It is the help of donations that make it possible for the Explorers to be able to travel and accept the invitation of the Argentina Fire Department to experience alternative methods of fire skill and safety.  The Los Angeles County Fire Dept.  has sent used surplus equipment, boots, turnout uniforms, used helmets, and goggles to the Argentina Fire Dept., this is their positive note of appreciation to join together. We will be taking school supplies; paper, pencils, rulers, erasers and toys along with taking part in their “National Children’s Holiday”.

Exxplorer Post 19 LogoThe Parent Booster Committee would like to re-emphasize our goal is making Post 19 a continued success of the Explorer Program, which depends on the generous contributions of proud sponsors—organizations and individuals like you who have supported these kids and shared in their many accomplishments. We all stand proud to know that someday; some of these young men and women will become Firefighters and perhaps someone’s hero.

airlines-aeromexico-logoWe would like to give a special acknowledgment to AeroMexico for providing us with a very special fare for our trip to Argentina.  They have done a lot for us to help make this trip a reality.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to support our trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina, this year, please click the button below.  (Our Tax ID will be provided upon request for your records.)

We sincerely thank you for your support.

Explorer Post 19