Cruz’s Fire Truck Donation Project Celebrated By Arlington & Dominican Republic Officials
Sirens wailed and lights flashed on the field at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, but this time the scene was part of a celebration.
Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz teamed up with the Arlington Fire Department and several other organizations to supply a fire truck and two ambulances to the Dominican Republic city of Las Matas Santa Cruz, located in the province where Cruz grew up.
Cruz, Arlington Fire Chief Don Crowson, Las Matas Santa Cruz Fire Chief Luis Esmurdoc and others involved in the project were on hand for a pre-game presentation of the vehicles Sept. 26.
"I wanted to find a way to use my resources to help a lot of people for many years to come, and this donation does that," Cruz said.
Cruz acted as the project's catalyst that had at least nine different organizations involved. Several months ago the professional baseball player reached out to Arlington Fire Department Battalion Chief Bill McQuatters with the idea before personally donating $20,000.
City officials then started making calls. "Vendors came out of the woodwork to donate equipment to help this great cause," said Chief Crowson.
American Medical Response donated the two ambulances. Arlington Wreck Truck Repair repainted the vehicles, while the City's fire department and Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus supplied equipment.
American Emergency Vehicles, Optima, Physio Control and Stryker chipped in $4,500 collectively to get the first response vehicles to the Dominican Republic, with Cruz donating the rest of the required funds.
The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundationalso contributed $9,300.
"[Cruz'] desire to help others resonated with the Arlington Fire Department team in such a way that the department immediately came together with other public safety partners to help Nelson meet his goal," Chief Crowson said.
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