Montgomery County Fire Fighter Team Raises Over $11,000 to Support The Make-A-Wish Foundation!

By: Master Firefighter Kathy Evans

Make-A-Wish Triathlon held two events which took place on two different weekends. One on Sunday September 23, 2012 in Bethany Beach, MD. The second one on Saturday, September 29, 2012 in Cambridge, MD.  A total of 11 people competed this year, representing Montgomery County Fire & Rescue.  This was the fourth consecutive year that a group of Montgomery County firefighters participated.  This is the first time they had two women’s relay teams to compete.

The Make-A-Wish triathlon in Bethany Beach, DE  consisted of a  1000-meter swim (0.62 miles), 30k bike (18.5 miles), and 7k run (4.35 miles).  All three male participants competed as individuals. Captain Robert Stojinski finished first amongst the group of male firefighters with a time of 2 hours, 44 minutes.  MFF Kathy Evans, Captain of Team JKD, along with F/F Jessica Romano and Deirdre Sugrue finished second in their division with a time of 2 hours, 5 minutes!

The Make-A-Wish triathlon in Cambridge, MD consisted of several different races.  Mike McDonald competed in the USATMA Ultra Championship- 2.4 Mile Swim, 112 Mile Bike, 26.2 Mile Run. He finished with a time of 12 hours, 10 minutes.  Pedro Meneses competed in the Skipjack  - 1.2 Mile Swim, 64 Mile Bike, 10 Mile Run.  He finished with a time of 5 hours, 44 minutes.

Another large component of the Make-A-Wish tri is fundraising.  Competitors work hard before the race not only training, but raising funds to help support the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic.  This wonderful organization grants wishes for local children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.  With the average cost of a wish being $7500, donations from generous race supporters is very important.  This year, the Montgomery County firefighter team raised just over $11,000 to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation!  Firefighters TJ Monahan was the top fundraiser this year. TJ has been doing this for over 15 years and has collected over $150,000.00.  So when you see him tell him a big thank you!!!!

All of this year's participants had a great time and are excited for next year's race! They are hoping more people will consider participating in the event next year!!  Congratulations to all who participated in these events and represent the county and raise money for the kids!!!!

2012 Make-A-Wish Triathlon Team

Captain Robert Stojinski

Firefighter TJ Monahan

Firefighter Gino Reynosa

Lieutenant Pedro Meneses

Firefighter Mike McDonald

Team JKD

Master Firefighter Kathy Evans

Firefighter Jessica Romano

Deirdre Sugrue

Team SM2

Lieutenant Maria Brown

Firefighter Shantell Brown

Firefighter Marrenda Markham

MCFRS Triathlon Team Members raise $19,140 For the Make-A-Wish Foundation

MCFRS triathlon team members raised a total of $19,140 this year for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Kensington resident Theresa Brooks was our official honoree.  The triathlon was held in September at Bethany Beach in Delaware.

Theresa is a 6 year old cancer survivor, who had a wish to "be a ballerina" fulfilled last year by the Make a Wish Foundation.  In December 2006, at the age of two and a half, she was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancerous tumor.  Theresa was treated primarily at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC, where she received chemotherapy for 10 months.  She also received radiation treatments at Mass General in Boston.  As of this date Theresa is cancer free.

Theresa has been a good friend of Katie Monahan (daughter of Fire Fighter T.J. Monahan, 33 A Shift) since preschool.

You will actually be able to see Theresa in a two minute segment called “Theresa’s Wish” that will air on CNN as part of a one-hour special called "Giving in Focus" on Christmas Day at 4:00 PM.

MCFRS Triathlon Team Members: Michael Johns, TJ Monahan, Robert Stojinski, Elwood Ey, Michael Green, Joshua Devries, David Carter, Michael McDonald, Amanda Viragh, James Riddle, Andrew Welk, Jose Estrada.

Special thanks to Fire Fighter Carla Myers (22 C Shift), for the embroidery for this year's team shirts.