Firefighters Holding Fundraiser at Rita's to Help 2-Year-Old

Now that the first day of spring has passed and you’ve got your free water ice, how about paying for it and donating to charity at the same time?

On Friday, the Moorestown Fire Department will hold a “Fire & Ice Night” at to raise money for a Willingboro boy diagnosed with sensory processing disorder so he can get a service dog.

Moorestown firefighter Brad Kenney said the department was looking to partner with Rita’s and when the opportunity presented itself to help Paws 4 Landon, “it was a no-brainer,” he said.

Two-year-old Landon Clark is the son of Willingboro firefighter Jamie Clark. Kenney said several Moorestown firefighters know Clark, so the fundraiser was a natural fit for that reason as well.

According to the Paws 4 Landon Facebook page, Landon is currently on a waiting list to see if he falls on the autism spectrum. Meanwhile, his parents are trying to raise $12,000—their insurance doesn’t cover service dogs—so they can purchase and get specialty training for the dog.

“It’s a goal that’s very reachable,” said Kenney. “This fundraiser, if we can get enough people to come out, can really make an impact.”

Rita’s has pledged to donate 15 percent of all its sales during the fundraiser to Paws 4 Landon.

In an email to Moorestown Patch last week, Jamie Clark said they had so far raised $7,272.50.

held the first official fundraiser for Paws 4 Landon two weeks ago, raising $800, according to event planner Marci Wysoczanski.

In addition to the enticement of water ice, Kenney said the fire department will have at least one of its engines, and possibly one of its ladder trucks, at Rita’s during the fundraiser so children can check it out and get their picture taken with it.

The fundraiser runs from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 30, at Rita’s Water Ice, 250 W. Camden Ave.