Fire Truck Sent to Guatemala
- mallory865
- Mar 28
- 4 min read
March 28, 2025 Newsletter
On Monday, March 24, Midwest Mission shipped a FIRE TRUCK to Guatemala!
This has been in the works for a while, as we waited for the title and transportation, but we are so excited to announce that it is on its way to help people in need.
It started with Glenview United Methodist church. They heard that Midwest Mission collects fire gear and equipment that is no longer used from departments in the United States, then sends it internationally. This is because many firefighters in developing countries do not have proper safety gear and equipment to safely fight fires. Their departments do not have funds to pay for these life-saving items.
Glenview also heard that we’ve previously shipped a fire truck and an ambulance. And, with that information, they were on a mission to talk to their local departments!
They shared with us that the Fire Department in Glenview, IL would generously donate one of their fire trucks, and the city of Niles, IL would generously donate an ambulance!
The two departments worked hard to get their vehicles to Midwest Mission, coordinating with Brad Walton, Director of Operations at Midwest Mission.
“Everything we send is specifically requested and necessary, so everything is a blessing to people on the other side,” Brad said. “But on days like this, when we get to send items like fire trucks, we know that the impact is huge. The amount of lives saved because of this donation … you can’t put a value on that!”
Both the fire truck and ambulance were shipped to Guatemala, where the Order of Malta will distribute to local departments they have relationships with.
Chief Tony DeRose from the Glenview Fire Department, in response to the fire truck donation said: “The village of Glenview and Glenview Fire Department bid farewell to one of our trusty fire engines this morning, but it is not the end of the story for this reliable truck. The Village partnered with Glenview UMC and Midwest Mission to ship the engine to Guatemala. After serving Glenview these past two decades, this tried and true engine will help respond … overseas. Thanks for all you've done for Glenview old friend. And thanks to Glenview UMC and Midwest Mission for giving new life to this mission.”
On February 14, Midwest Mission sent the ambulance to Guatemala. Chief Marty Feld from the Niles Fire Department said, “We are honored to donate an ambulance to Midwest Mission who will arrange its transport to Guatemala where it will continue to serve. Thank you to the Glenview United Methodist Church for blessing the ambulance and for organizing its transportation overseas. We hope this ambulance continues to provide care and assistance for many years to come.”
Thank you, Glenview Fire Department and Niles Fire Department, for your generous gifts.
And, thank you Glenview United Methodist Church for boldly asking. It’s amazing what happens when you simply tell people the good that can come out of the items they no longer need. The great folks at Glenview UMC did just that, and so many blessings came out of their conversations!
Please reach out to your local departments about this great opportunity! Whether it’s something as big as a fire truck, or the gear they no longer use, but don’t want to throw away, Midwest Mission can find someone who needs it.
Use this flyer to share about the opportunity.
Or, show them this great video we received from our partner, CEPUDO, in Honduras after the distribution of fire gear to their local departments:
Fully Solar Powered Campus as of Monday, March 18
A few years ago, we began our journey towards a more sustainable future, dreaming of a solar-powered campus.
The first installation of solar panels — on the first warehouse — powered the warehouses and office. These panels cut our warehouse utility costs from $900/month to just $20/month! WOW!
After seeing the immediate benefits, we knew it was best financially, and for the environment, to move forward with more solar panels. So for our 2024 Brick By Brick campaign, we asked you to consider giving towards the $39,000 goal to add more solar panels. We are SO grateful for your generosity. Because of you, we reached our goal!
This month, the final solar panels were installed!
In just a few short weeks, the new solar panels on the dorm, staff house, and Twice Giving, have already produced 1.3 mWh of energy — enough to charge 109,500 cell phones!
The combined total from both solar systems for March is 6.5 mWh of energy.
Because of your support, Midwest Mission is moving toward a more sustainable future. Thank you!
Shipments Around the World and Around the Corner
One of our taglines is “Sending Hope and Empowerment Around the World and Around the Corner.” This is such an important part of our mission, because we actively serve people in need within this nation, and across the globe. The need is great, and as disasters continue to roll in, and communities continue to struggle, we are proud to be God’s hands and feet, helping meet those needs.
On top of the excitement of the fire truck and solar power, this week, we sent two more shipments – one around the world, and one around the corner.
On Friday, March 28, we sent an Angels of Hope shipment to El Salvador, to help meet the needs of Children’s Homes across the country.
On Monday, March 24, we sent the shipment mentioned in last week’s newsletter to Convoy of Hope to help disaster relief efforts after the tornadoes blew through Missouri.
You are helping meet the needs of people you may never meet — near and far.
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