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)​​​
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"
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A Halloween Holiday home lighting contest!
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Submit a 30 second video of your decorated home and judges from the SVFD will choose a winner.
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Winner gets 2 round-trip airline tickets to anywhere JetBlue flies!
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Contest runs from September 27 - October 25.
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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.)
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People's Choice
Vote for your favorite Stratham home by Oct. 25. Winner receives an awesome gift basket!
"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.
DONATIONS ARE ALSO WELCOME & APPRECIATED!
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Stratham Fire Department Holiday Lights Parade in December
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Bonfire at Stratham Hill Park in January
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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!​​
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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.​
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June is PTSD Awareness Month