Massachusetts’ Bravest to Vie for One of 12 Spots in 2017 Calendar Featuring Adoptable Pets
BOSTON, Dec. 8, 2015 – The search is on for 12 of the hottest firefighters in Massachusetts to vie for a coveted profile in the 2017 Massachusetts Firefighter Calendar, a tongue-in-cheek beefcake calendar to benefit homeless animals in the MSPCA-Angell’s three animal care and adoption centers, the organization announced today.
Massachusetts firefighters interested in starring in the calendar must fill out an application at www.massfirecalendar.org prior to the April 10, 2016 deadline. Qualified applicants will be invited to the calendar audition party to be held Friday, April 22 at Showcase Live at Patriot Place in Foxboro, Mass.
The applicants will strut their stuff down the runway and answer questions from a celebrity judging panel. The 12 winners will later be photographed with adoptable pets for the calendar. Net proceeds from calendar sales—expected to exceed $50,000—will be donated to the MSPCA’s adoption centers which shelter, feed and provide medical care for thousands of animals every year.
Ann Martini, publisher of the Massachusetts Firefighter Calendar, is a writing professor at the University of Rhode Island and former editor of Rhode Island Monthly. She has published nine previous firefighter calendars to benefit various charities including Habitat for Humanity and The Station Family Fund.
Martini is eager to get the party started. “This is a fun but real celebration of the hard work these guys do for their communities every day. Bringing together rescuers with pets is a natural way to benefit all involved,” she said.
Firefighters selected for the calendar will be photographed by Lt. Sean McNulty, a professional photographer and firefighter in North Providence, Rhode Island. McNulty lost more than 100 pounds and won a spot in the 2007 Rhode Island Firefighter Calendar. Said McNulty: “The calendar is tongue-in-cheek, for sure, but it changed my life and it was an honor to appear in it.”
At least one firefighter featured in a previous calendar is eager to compete again for a spot. “Participating was such a great experience—it was a group effort and the experience of a lifetime,” said Mark Pavao of Somerset, Mass., who appeared in the 2009 calendar. “I would definitely do it again!”
Tickets for the kickoff party are $20 and will be available for purchase beginning in January at www.massfirecalendar.org.
Said Jean Weber, director of Animal Protection at the MSPCA-Angell, about the project: “This is an incredibly fun way to drive awareness not only for the bravery Massachusetts firefighters exhibit every day, but also on the issue of animal homelessness—and we’re thankful that the net proceeds will help us take care of the animals in our charge.”
The 2017 Massachusetts Firefighter Calendar will go on sale next summer.
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The MSPCA-Angell is a national and international leader in animal protection and veterinary medicine and provides direct hands-on care for thousands of animals each year. Founded in 1868, it is the second-oldest humane society in the United States. Services include animal protection and adoption, advocacy, humane education, law enforcement, and world-class veterinary care. The MSPCA-Angell is a private, non-profit organization. It does not receive any government funding nor is it funded or operated by any national humane organization. The MSPCA-Angell relies solely on the support and contributions from individuals who care about animals. Please visit www.mspca.org and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mspcaangell
