Bridgeport firefighters union supports fallen brother’s two young sons with fundraisers
Firefighter Terrence Cramer, 41, of Stratford, was killed last month in a home invasion at his girlfriend's house in Stratford. Cramer left behind two young boys, Jaxon and Jagger, who were his world.
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The Bridgeport firefighters union is stepping up for the young sons of their fallen brother.
Firefighter Terrence Cramer, 41, of Stratford, was killed last month in a home invasion at his girlfriend's house in Stratford.
This week, the union is hosting two fundraisers for the boys' futures—one at Two Roads Brewing Company in Stratford and another at Seaside Park in Bridgeport.
“He was an example as a father for many of us,” said firefighter Damian Bullock, who’s the vice president of IAFF Local 834.
Cramer's two boys were his world, according to Bullock, who’s also Cramer’s cousin.
“If he was here, that's the one thing we know he would say. ‘Make sure my boys are taken care of,’” Bullock told News 12.
“Terrence would be there for us God-forbid, and we definitely want to be there for his family,” added firefighter and union member Daniel Brelsford.
That's why Cramer's fire company gave his sons a ride to school on their first day back after his death. Jagger, 9, and Jaxon, 10, arrived at Wilcoxson Elementary to find dozens of firefighters lined up out front, ready to support the boys’ return every step of the way.
“Nothing we can do can replace him, but anything we can do to help is what we're going to try to do,” Bullock stated.
That includes ensuring the boys are set up financially. The union teamed up with Two Roads for Pints with Purpose. The event is Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Two Roads Taproom. Donate a minimum of $5 and receive a wristband for $5 pints, 10% off food and 10% off merchandise all night. One hundred percent of wristband proceeds will go to Cramer's sons.
“You can come out, go to a local established business, be a part of a community that's getting together to celebrate not only the lives of Terrence but also help these boys,” Brelsford said.
For people who can't make it to Two Roads, the union is holding a chili macaroni and cheese cookoff on Saturday between first responder teams. It's open to the public at Seaside Park from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Twenty dollars covers two tickets for chili mac and cheese. Athletic Brewing Company and Tasty Yolk have signed on as sponsors. All proceeds will go to Jaxon and Jagger, who are expected to be there.
“They still have regular life stuff to do whether it's basketball or AAU or swimming lessons or whatever events they have, so we're trying to ensure they have a comfortable life that Terrence provided for them prior to him not being here anymore,” Bullock told News 12.
He and Brelsford acknowledge the effort is about more than money. It's showing two young boys who lost their father that they're not alone.
“I think that that sense of community and sense of strength will not only help financially but also display for these boys that people do care, and they'll remember that. They’re remember that love and support from everybody,” Brelsford explained.
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