New Video on Sparkles' Memorial Pathway

#1 Sparkles Drive is Finished!

After spending nearly 400 hours, #1 Sparkles Drive is now complete, thanks to the wonderful craftmanship of Susan Heikkila of the Ward Fire Department (AR)! #1 Sparkles Drive is a 1/12th scale model of an old fashioned two story firehouse, complete with pole.

According to Susan, this little firehouse is "big on love and craftsmanship." And no wonder! Susan's passion for this project, along with her friend Suzanne Schwabb of Suzanne’s Dollhouses in O’Fallon, MO, was fueled to help Firefighter Dayna and the fire safety dogs and Friends of Sparkles raise funds* for Sparkles’ Pathway, a section of the Walk of Honor® at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation®.

The walkway will honor Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and her work with children and fire safety, and will help keep her memory alive in all the hearts that loved and knew her.

This firehouse will be raffled off in July. Stay tuned for upcoming information regarding the raffle.

To learn more about Sparkles’ pathway, visit http://www.sparklesthefiresafetydog.com/sparklesmemorialpathway.html and the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation, visit http://www.firehero.org/.

#1 Sparkles Drive Under Construction

Breaking ground #1 Sparkles Drive permit Beautiful furniture by Susan!

The firehouse bay area
Sparkles' Dressing Table

Thank you Susan and Suzanne for this amazing gift!

*Please note that this fundraising effort is not sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. It is sponsored by the Friends of Sparkles to help support the work of NFFF.

Sparkles and Sparkles' Pathway in National Fallen Firefighter Foundation's Survivor Newsletter

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation publishes a newsletter for survivors of fallen firefighters and others interested in issues that relate to line-of-duty death. The newsletter focuses on survivor issues, benefits, and Foundation programs.

We are very honored that Sparkles and Sparkles' Pathway is featured in their Winter 2011 issue. To view the article, click on the picture below. Sparkles' story is on page 6.

To learn more about Sparkles' Pathway and how you can help support the work of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, click HERE.

Helping out Emma Zen

Our good friend, Emma Zen is trying to raise money to purchase oxygen masks for fire departments. The dogs and I wanted to help out, so we are sent Emma Zen 5 copies of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog books and 5 audio books. This book has been credited with helping save the lives of 9 people and we are so happy to help support a good cause!

We help out with many causes, including helping Target's Bunker along with Surf Dog Richochet, the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation, and supporting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

#1 Sparkles Drive

#1 Sparkles Drive is a 1/12th scale model of an old fashioned two story firehouse, complete with pole. This little firehouse is big on love and craftsmanship.

The firehouse, donated by Suzanne Schwabb of Suzanne’s Dollhouses in O’Fallon, MO and crafted by Susan Heikkila of the Ward Fire Department, will help raise funds for Sparkles’ Pathway, a section of the Walk of Honor® at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation®. The walkway will honor Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and her work with children and fire safety, and keep her memory alive in all the hearts that loved and knew her.

Firefighter Heikkila has raised funding for other ventures and is performing her miniature magic again to bring this firehouse to life.

This firehouse will be raffled off soon, so stay tuned!

To learn more about Sparkles’ pathway, visit http://www.sparklesthefiresafetydog.com/sparklesmemorialpathway.html and the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation, visit http://www.firehero.org.

Stay tuned for in progress/under construction reports.

About Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog: To learn more about Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, click HERE.

About Suzanne: Although not in fire service, Suzanne is a big supporter of firefighters everywhere, and donated the wonderful gift of this firehouse. She has helped with funding a firehouse/fundraising program in several states. Her first venture in AR was is partnership with Firefighter Susan Heikkila, Ward Fire Dept.

About Susan: For those of you that made it to the convention in Hot Springs this year, a firehouse made by Susan was auctioned to help build the Arkansas Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial.

Breaking ground

#1 Sparkles Drive permit

Beautiful furniture by Susan!

The firehouse bay area

Sparkles' Dressing Table

Thank you to Suzanne and Susan for this amazing gift! More pictures to come, so stay tuned!