ABOUT US
When firefighter Luis Espinosa attended the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) bi-annual convention in 1990, he was excited about networking with other firefighters and learning new techniques for rescuing members of the community who find themselves in danger. He had no idea he was about to be inspired to take lead on a new form of community service in South Florida. The spark which ignited the idea for one of the most successful charity firefighter calendars to date happened during an IAFF convention trade show. Members of the Houston and Vancouver Fire Departments were exhibiting their firefighters calendars, raising money for various charities.
As a former model/actor in South Florida, known as a Mecca for fitness and modeling, Espinosa thought he could easily find firemen whose looks would be in demand for such an endeavor. He worked hard for two years, learning how to create a charity, find and work with pro-bono professional photographers, graphic artists, printers and volunteers as well as sponsors. By 1992 he had created a hot commodity that was destined to light fires in the South Florida public and raise awareness of important community issues. To date the non-profit organization has raised over $200,000 to benefit charities such as the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Habitat for Humanity's Hurricane Andrew Fund, Ronald McDonald Children's Charities, Neighbors 4 Neighbors, Best Buddies, Cystic Fibrosis and Here’s Help.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
Founder / CEO
Luis Espinosa
Lieutenant
City of Hialeah Fire Department
espi4481@bellsouth.net
Director of Fundraising
Rixys Diaz
Business Development Director
Here's Help, Inc.
footyswd@aol.com
Director of Events
Director of Fulfilment
Dorie Benjamin
Office Manager South Florida Firefighters Calendar
DBenjamin@firefighterscalendar.com
Secretary's Day Chairperson
Carmen Corvos-Roig
Business Development Director
Carnival Cruise Lines
CCorvos-Roig@carnival.com |
Director of Media
Angela Betancourt
Account Executive
Fish Consulting
Firefightermedia@yahoo.com
Fire Department
Liasion Officer
Gioanna Grieco
Public Education Officer
City of Miami Fire Department
GGrieco@ci.miami.fl.us
Photographer
Jenny Abreu
abreuimages@comcast.net
Website Development
Belkis Galainena
Sonic Art
Belkis@SonicArtHouse.com
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