The men and women of the Selkirk and Elsmere fire departments are teaming up to fight something other than fire as they hold a benefit for one of their own.
Junior Firefighter James Angermeier, who is a 17-year-old senior at Bethlehem Central, was diagnosed with cancer in January. A breakfast benefit is being held in his honor on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Selkirk No. 2 Firehouse, 301 Glenmont Road in Glenmont.
Five bucks will get you a pancake breakfast with sausage and bacon served by Bethlehem’s bravest, and the money donated will go directly to Angermeier and his family.
Although the day has been officially dubbed Community Kindness Day by Town Hall in an effort to have residents perform random acts of kindness, the pitching in for the Angermeier family has more to do with brotherhood.
Vice President of the Selkirk Fire Company No. 2 Shawn Higgins said Bethlehem’s firefighting community works because it works together ` no matter what comes its way.
`When you walk in the door and put on your gear and go out there every day, it doesn’t matter who you are, you’re pretty much family,` said Higgins. `It could be someone out there who you don’t get along with, but when you come in here you’ve got to have that person’s back and they’ve got to have your back because you never know, anything can happen.`
Higgins described Angermeier as an active and talented young man whose family is deeply rooted in the Bethlehem community. His father, Joe Angermeier, is a longtime fire police officer at the Elsmere Fire Department and his sister volunteers at the Selkirk firehouse.
After getting a growth on his neck checked out, the Angermeier’s worst fears were confirmed and Angermeier was diagnosed with a rare cancer of the bone that affects children and young adults.
Now taking chemotherapy, Angermeier’s immune system is wiped out and he has to remain isolated from as many people as possible for fear he could become sick. Higgins said this aspect could be especially hard on a young person with an active lifestyle.
`I think it’s hard for James mostly because he’s not allowed around other people he normally would be because his immune system is really down,` he said. `When people go to see him they’re only allowed one at a time and you can’t be sick or anything.`
As a junior firefighter, Higgins said Angermeier is looking to become a full-fledged member once he turns 18. There are certain restrictions for junior members, such as not being allowed on certain calls or to be put in certain situations or training. The Elsmere Fire Department held a spaghetti dinner last week, which brought in $7,000, and both the Selkirk and Elsmere departments held a breakfast for firefighter families that netted $1,400.
Now opening up the cause to everyone on Community Kindness Day, Higgins said they hope to have at least $15,000 to give to the Angermeiers. He added more events could be held later in the summer if the need should still exist.
Selkirk Fire Department No. 2 Chief Bill Asprion said he has visited Angermeier on several occasions, and the family is holding up as best they can.
`There’s highs and lows,` Asprion said. `He just went through a another whole series [of treatments] so I’m not sure if he’ll be there on Saturday.`
Asprion and Higgins set up a special account at Pioneer Bank in Glenmont for those who cannot attend the event or want to donate more money. Donations can be made to: Benefit of James Angermeier, Pioneer Bank, 329 Glenmont Road, Glenmont 12077, or call 463-1400.
`We’re asking the community to be patient during the benefit breakfast because we expect a lot of people to be down here,` Asprion said. `In conjunction with the Elsmere Fire Department we are going to do everything we can for the Angermeier family and we’ve got all hands on deck to help out on Saturday.`
Higgins said they are only doing exactly what Angermeier would do himself.
`Last year was my 11th year in the fire service and my fourth year here and this department’s just amazing, they’re always there for you,` Higgins said. `That’s why when we heard about it we just thought of anything possible to help him because if it had been one of us, he’d be there to help us, too.`
“