Meet Cocoa

We are thrilled to announce that we are partnering with the Stratham Volunteer Fire Department this year to raise awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in First Responders. PTSD is a mental health condition that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, series of events or circumstances. An individual may experience this as emotionally or physically harmful or life-threatening and may affect mental, physical, social, and/or spiritual well-being. (Psychiatry.org)

Learn more about PTSD

PTSD Resources

We are partnering with a retired Assistant Fire Chief and his service dog Cocoa with the goal of raising funds for Cocoa's training. The cost of purchasing a trained service dog can be as high as $50,000, depending on the needs, and insurance does not typically cover of any it. Training takes approximately two years and the typical “working life” for a service dog is between 6 and 8 years.

What's in store for 2024?

"Frights 4 Lives"

A Halloween Holiday home lighting contest!

Submit a 30 second video of your decorated home and judges from the SVFD will choose a winner.
Winner gets 2 round-trip airline tickets to anywhere JetBlue flies!
Contest runs from September 27 - October 25.
Fee to enter is $50. Proceeds go towards the training of Cocoa, service dog for a Stratham First Responder.

Contest is for Stratham residents only. Note you must enter contest first and then upload video. Title your video before you upload it using the format: Name, Street Number, Street Name. (Ex. Smith, 6 Park Ave.)

ENTER CONTEST

UPLOAD VIDEO

People's Choice

Vote for your favorite Stratham home by Oct. 25. Winner receives an awesome gift basket!

VOTE

"You are not alone" Sticker - $5

Purchase your sticker to help raise awareness of PTSD in First Responders. Proceeds go to train Cocoa, service animal for a Stratham First Responder.

PURCHASE STICKER

DONATIONS ARE ALSO WELCOME & APPRECIATED!

DONATE

Stratham Fire Department Holiday Lights Parade in December
Bonfire at Stratham Hill Park in January
- Raffle tickets for 2 sets of round trip airline tickets and other amazing prizes, donated by local businesses. Food and drinks served up by FD Auxiliary's Big Red!

All proceeds from these events will go to support the training of Cocoa. Any additional funds raised will be earmarked for other First Responders in the area diagnosed with PTSD.

June is PTSD Awareness Month