Firefighter initiative to aid Ontario site

TORONTO, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Vandalism to the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in the Canadian province of Toronto could be fixed by a fundraising firefighter initiative, organizers say.

Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association President Fred LeBlanc said his organization is asking its members to donate funds to help raise $500,000 to repair the Toronto memorial, a Canada News Wire release said Friday.

"I hope that all Ontarians will consider making a contribution to this fund because these firefighters gave their lives while protecting the lives and property of the public," LeBlanc said. "We owe it to our fallen and their families to ensure that their memorial is a respectable and dignified tribute to their sacrifice."

The fundraising effort will also target the general public and fire equipment suppliers in its pursuit of the necessary funds. Organizers said they want the memorial to be fully repaired in time for the 2009 Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial.

The release said the vandalism occurred May 12 when an unidentified man sprayed slogans on several of the memorial's granite walls.