West Hollywood, California (Monday, December 22, 2008) - West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip is famous worldwide for its hot nightlife, but not so much for its hot firemen, until now. The hotties of WeHo’s Fire Station 8, led by Capt. Rick Brandelli, decided they wanted to do right by the many animals in need and decided to leverage their looks to raise funds through a calendar that would benefit baseball manager Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF).
The "Firemen of Hollywood's Sunset Strip’s" first calendar features 12 handsome firefighters, including one honorary fireman, actor Eion Bailey, all in their traditional fireman gear and each posing with their beloved animals.
The calendar, a limited edition, is available only at www.sunsetstripfiremen.com , and proceeds will benefit animals in need.
Click on any image to order your 2009 "Firemen of Hollywood's Sunset Strip" calendar.
"My fellow firefighters came together to raise money for a non-profit we believe in and selected ARF because of the never ending work they do for both animals and people," said Capt. Brandelli.
In addition to the full color photographs of the firemen who serve the Creative City’s Sunset Strip from WeHo’s stations 7 and 8 and neighboring LA City fire companies, the calendar also features information about ARF, which was created by the St. Louis Cardinals manager, Tony La Russa, in 1991.
ARF is an organization that not only aids abandoned and homeless animals, but also promotes the fact that people's lives can be enhanced by strengthening the bonds between humans and animals.
“ARF does more than just rescue,” Capt. Brandelli told WeHo News, “they also have an educational component that teaches proper treatment of animals, such as teaching kids to treat animals respectfully.”
He said the task turned into a little more than he had bargained for. “I wish we had started earlier, he said. “We started this back in June, July, and it got bigger and bigger.”
He expected the community to respond eagerly to the calendar for several reasons, even though distribution is limited to the Internet this year.
“Next year we’ll get an earlier start and get the calendar placed in stores in time for the calendar-buying season in early December,” he promised.
First of all, WeHo is an animal loving community, secondly, there is a great reservoir of goodwill that Wehoans extend to good causes, he said.
Most importantly, though, he pointed out how unique the City of West Hollywood seemed to him after working as a first responder in other communities.
“It really hit home on July 4, when I went to a rooftop on the Sunset Strip to look out over the LA basin,” he said.
He said he viewed a city lit up with illegal fireworks, except for WeHo. “There was this quiet island of peace directly below me that really showed the difference between the two cities. People in West Hollywood live here because it is a special place, and it makes me proud to serve the city.”
“I don’t know of another community in which there is such a palpable civic spirit, and since I spend five days a week here in the station, I really appreciate that,” he said.
Promotion for the calendar began with an appearance on the “Tonight Show.”
"We were lucky to have our calendar shown with the beautiful Heidi Klum on the Tonight Show (NBC TV) during their recent Salute to the Firefighters and we think our calendar makes the perfect holiday gift,” Capt.Brandelli related.
"We hope to present ARF with a nice check from the Firemen of Hollywood's Sunset Strip."
The firefighters and pets that grace the calendar pages are: January - Fireman Fernando Romero & Pookie, February - Fireman Bradley Woldenstein & Duece, March - Fireman Tim Crass & Misty , April - Firemen Rich Conejo & Kong, May - Captain Jason Hurd & Randee & Buddy, June - Honorary Fireman actor Eion Bailey & Beeker, July - Fireman Ed Zubo & Max, August - Captain Rick Brandelli & Riley, September - Engineer Mel Solberg & Jack, October - Fireman Mike Urbano (cover) & John Henry, November - Fireman Robert Nowaczyk & Apple, December - Fireman Alan Averill & Luna.
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