Latest news with #ChristianSheehanSmokeAlarmBlitz
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
Smoke Alarm Blitz: Family carrying on son's legacy by giving back
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A family is continuing to honor their son after he died in a Champaign house fire nine years ago. Since then, they've installed more than 1000 smoke alarms in the community, hoping their efforts stop any more lives from being cut short. 'People can survive house fires if they have smoke alarms — it's that simple,' Champaign Fire Chief Andy Quarnstrom said. 'Lead with collaboration'; Urbana leaders sworn in A growing number of Champaign homes have them in Christian Sheehan's honor. The 23-year-old died in a house fire just weeks before he was set to graduate college. 'He would absolutely hate that I'm plastering his photo for things like this, but would love how it brings the community together,' Christian's mother, Joy, said. The annual Christian Sheehan Smoke Alarm Blitz installs alarms in homes they may not have working ones. On Saturday, the Champaign Fire Department set out to install around 175. That mission was made possible by a $50,000 grant Joy found out about last year. 'The showing of community support honors not only Christian and his family, but just the importance [that] we want to make sure that people in this community are safe,' Quarnstrom said. 'Whether that's smoke alarms or anything else, clearly the 60 plus people that are here already want the same thing.' Champaign community honors stabbing victim through skateboarding The fire department trains volunteers who then go door to door offering up the alarms. 'One life saved is significant,' Quarnstrom said. 'We believe that probably, in time, the installation of these smoke detectors will save many lives.' The goal is that one day, every home will be safer in Christian's memory. 'We're trying to bring good from bad, make it safer going to bed at night knowing little ones like this are going to have a safe place to sleep,' Joy said. Joy said she hopes to keep the event going for years to come. She said, although Christian isn't present to help out, she knows he is smiling down on his family and friends who are carrying on his memory. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Volunteers needed for Champaign smoke alarm blitz
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A Champaign-based smoke alarm foundation created in honor of a man who was killed in a fire is now looking for volunteers to help with an upcoming event. The Annual Christian Sheehan Smoke Alarm Blitz is taking place on May 3 this year. The foundation honors Christian Sheehan, who was killed in a Champaign house fire on March 26, 2016, at the age of 23. Since his death, the yearly smoke alarm blitz has installed more than 1,000 alarms. Illinois residents worried about food assistance being cut in a SNAP The foundation is asking for volunteers to help from 8 a.m. to noon, and participants will meet at Franklin Middle School. Those involved will be installing free smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Everyone is welcome to volunteer as no prior experience is necessary. The Champaign Fire Department, who is partnering with the alarm foundation, will provide training to the volunteers. This past October, the foundation was notified they would be receiving a $50,000 state grant to assist them with their life-saving operations. Despite the grant, the foundation is still asking for donations as each smoke alarm costs $55. To volunteer and donate, check out the foundation's Facebook post which has a QR code for each option. For any more information and updates, follow the foundation's Facebook page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
