George Mason pitcher gives back to local fire department
FAIRFAX, Va. (BVM) 鈥� At George Mason, pitcher Chad Gartland is nicknamed 鈥淭he Fireman.鈥�
While he has the capability to put out the fire on the mound in dicey situations, that is not necessarily the origin of the nickname. It is because of his number.
Gartland wears No. 21, his father鈥檚 badge number at the St. Paul Fire Department in Rochester, New York.
He wore the number throughout high school and got it back at George Mason after playing at Niagara County Community College.
But it鈥檚 more than just a number for Gartland. It was his childhood.
鈥淓ven when he was at work, we were able to go see him and hang around the firehouse,鈥� Gartland said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty cool going back now and seeing the firefighters that I鈥檝e almost grown up around. It鈥檚 just a great atmosphere to be around.鈥�
Gartland knows firsthand the risk and sacrifice a firefighter takes to protect others. So when he thought of an opportunity to give back, it was an easy decision to pursue.
Prior to this season, he created a for the Fairfax City Fire Department, located a rock throw away from the George Mason campus.
鈥淚t was just something I wanted to do,鈥� Gartland said. 鈥淚 know every little bit helps.鈥�
When he mentioned the idea to teammates and coaches, they gave him their full support. Even the university itself was completely on board, announcing a $10 donation for every strikeout Gartland racks up this year.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 even have words for the support,鈥� Gartland said. 鈥淚 really can鈥檛 say enough for the help they鈥檝e given me. They鈥檝e been behind me all the way through.鈥�
As the totals of the GoFundMe increase, Gartland knows that every cent and every dollar goes a long way.
鈥淚t means the world,鈥� Gartland said. 鈥淚 see what my dad does, I see the people that he鈥檚 helped. He goes to work every day and it鈥檚 something new, someone new that he鈥檚 helping out. It鈥檚 what frontline workers do every day and sometimes it goes unnoticed.鈥�
Gartland is hoping that the page can create long-term awareness of the total expenses of a fire department, but also hopes the money can have a long-lasting impact as well on the firehouse and in the community.
鈥淭here鈥檚 some top-of-the-line technology that not every fire department can afford,鈥� Gartland said. 鈥淗opefully the money that we raise can help go towards something that is needed and that keeps people safe.鈥�
