FIREHOUSE SUBS® HEATS UP CITY OF IDLEWILD VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH MORE THAN $12,000
WORTH OF LIFE-SAVING TOOLS
FIREHOUSE SUBS PUBLIC SAFETY FOUNDATION COMES TO THE RESCUE WITH OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE EQUIPMENT

MATTHEWS, N.C. - Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is awarding much needed equipment to the Idlewild Volunteer Fire Department during a ceremony at 3:30 p.m., on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at the Matthews Firehouse Subs. Otherwise unavailable due to fire district budget constraints, the department benefits with five sets of firefighting turnout gear worth more than $12,000. The donated items will replace outdated gear and provide firefighters with a safe uniform during training operations and life-threatening situations. Since 2005, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has donated more than $329,000 to public safety entities in North Carolina.

Firehouse Subs is renowned for hearty, oversized portions and piping hot subs. The founders' 200-year firefighting heritage inspired the formation of the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which provides funding, resources and support to public safety entities.

"We hear so many stories of bravery and kindness," said Larry Chandler, franchisee of the Matthews Firehouse Subs restaurant. "The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation gives us the opportunity to show our appreciation in the best way possible, by giving back."

Each restaurant recycles leftover, five-gallon pickle buckets and sells them to customers for $2. Donation canisters on register counters explain the non-profit's mission and collect spare change, while the round up program allows guests to literally "round up" their bill to the nearest dollar.

The presentation takes place at the Firehouse Subs located 1808 Windsor Square Drive in Matthews. Attendees to the event include local firefighters and their families, franchisee Larry Chandler, area representative Tim Goss and Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation executive director Robin Peters.

In 2005, Firehouse Subs created the non-profit, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, with the mission to provide funding, life-saving equipment and educational opportunities to aid first-responders. Through the non-profit 501(c)(3), Firehouse Subs has given more than $3.9 million to hometown heroes, including fire and police departments and EMS organizations.

Firehouse Subs, founded in Jacksonville, Fla., by former firefighting brothers Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen, is a 502-unit fast casual restaurant chain. Firehouse Subs offers oversized portions of premium hand-sliced meats, steamed to make the flavors burst, then piled high with fresh produce atop a toasted sub roll. The restaurants reflect the authentic firefighter heritage, as well as the founding family's 200 years of firefighting service.

For more information on Firehouse Subs or this donation, please visit Firehousesubs.com, Facebook.com/firehousesubs or follow on Twitter at @firehousesubs.
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