Firefighters Turn Out for Charity at Tosafest

Enjoy the music and the food at Tosafest – but don't forget to "fill the boot" for charity and pay tribute to those who have given all for their country.

The Wauwatosa Firefighters will host their on from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and 1 to 9 p.m. to benefit their community Charity Fund.

Firefighters wear "turnout" gear when they go to battle a blaze, but they also turn out regularly to volunteer their time and talents to good causes.

Funds are raised by the operation of a dunk tank and by generous people who “fill the boot,” a firefighter's good-sized footgear.

A memorial ceremony, including a garrison flag-raising, will take place at approximately 5 p.m. Saturday, marking the upcoming 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Once again this year again, members of the Milwaukee Wave professional soccer team will sign autographs from 3 to 5 p.m.

Jean Davidson of Wauwatosa, granddaughter of one of the founding fathers of Harley Davidson, will also be with the firefighers at Tosafest again to sell and sign books she has written and to promote the www.yellandtell.com children’s safety program she created.

The “Yell & Tell Kids” will perform their safety musical at approximately 3:15 p.m., and “Squawk,” the Yell & Tell mascot, will be on hand to meet and greet.

For the first time, Iraq War combat veteran Jason Moon of www.wariorsongs.org will be on hand to represent his organization, which seeks to help bring hope and healing to veterans through music.

The will also have its on display. Obtained by special request from the Port Authority of New York, this artifact is one of very few in Wisconsin and is a vivid reminder and tribute to all who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, as well as those who have since fallen in the U.S. armed forces.

The artifacts have special significance to all Americans but more than any to all who serve in the fire service, honoring the 343 firefighters who died at Ground Zero, and many more who have suffered respiratory and other illnesses from going into the maelstrom that day.

The twisted and seared steel I-beam is displayed permanently at Wauwatosa Fire Station No. 1.