Like every year, the Saint-Just-en-Chaussée firefighters sell their calendars to finance their activities, maintain the station and maintain links with the population.
Every year, the sale of calendars by the Saint-Just-en-Chaussée fire brigade is a moment awaited by both fire fighters and citizens. “The sale of calendars is our only source of income or at least the main one. There is also the flea market in June, but otherwise, this represents our main source of financing”explains Colas Hemmer, president of the Firefighters’ Association.
This year, the collection started on 1is October 2024, with a series of door-to-door distributions in all the defense municipalities of the Saint-Justoise barracks: from Saint-Just-en-Chaussée to Lieuvillers, via Plainval, Saint-Rémy-en -l’Eau, Le Plessier-sur-Bulles and Wavignies.
“It’s a bit of a tradition, like for garbage collectors. We are always well received by people who are generally happy to see us”underlines Colas Hemmer. Although door-to-door distribution has just ended, firefighters are now selling their calendars at Christmas markets. “We also participate in all the markets in the town, he adds. And every weekend, we will be in the Leclerc shopping mall.”
Calendars made by firefighters for firefighters
The calendars are manufactured by a specialized publisher, a company created by firefighters, which takes care of the design, printing and assembly of the pages. “We provide the photos and they create the model”specifies the president.
Advertising inserts, purchased by many local merchants, finance the publication. “The inserts help pay the publisher, which means that everything we sell goes to the Amicale.” On average, making a calendar costs around €3, and for the 2024 season, 3,000 copies have been ordered. The goal is to sell everything. “Unsold items are offered to residents of the retirement homes of Saint-Just and Lieuvillers, to the companies that sponsor us but also to town halls and schools”.
A great way to share this initiative with the community. In 2023, between €20,000 and €21,000 were raised thanks to this sale. “Donations remain free, but on average, people give us €7”, continues Colas Hemmer, who also specifies that this solidarity purchase can be tax exempt. The funds raised allow the Association to finance the maintenance of the barracks, to organize events such as the Easter treasure hunt or Sainte-Barbe Day, and to offer gifts to members of the Association.
This year, a paper clip has been added to the calendar, as well as games and coloring pages for children.
Emeline Bertel
