Macomb Twp. firefighter raises over $75K for peers with cancer

A piece of World Trade Center steel served as a poignant reminder for Macomb Township firefighter Joseph Warne on 9/11, when he paused at a Lansing memorial during his fundraising walk for firefighters with cancer.

“We did have a Lansing engine guide us to the memorial where we sat through a very humbling experience. We also got to touch a piece of steel that came from the World Trade Center. The speeches made by the governor and representatives were very moving. We also got a history lesson on why the spot for the World Trade Center steel was chosen,” Warne said.

When he is not fighting fires with the Macomb Township Fire Department, Warne is fighting poverty, cancer and other causes through his non-profit Neighbors United. Firefighters with cancer is a cause the organization supports with fundraisers year-round, culminating in #walkforthered140. Warne said that this year, bottle drives and online fundraisers were important to the cause as well as a golf outing organized by the golf league “Dude Where’s My Par.” Some donors to the cause include Elder Ford of Romeo, Staffworks Group, Tony Serra Highland Nissan, Gutter Pro of Michigan, Big Jim’s House radio show on radio station 94.7, Terry Stevens radio show on radio station Q106 Lansing, C.H.A.R.G.E. McNaughton and McKay and Bob Seger.

Prior to the walk funding had reached $37,800, according to Warne but the signature event likely doubled that figure.

“We are still in the process but it is estimated to be over $75,000. We found out about three more firefighters battling cancer during the walk. Prior to, we had 14 on our list. One has passed bringing that total to 10,” Warne said.

For the annual #walkforthered140, Warne walks about 140 miles in full fire gear from Macomb Township to Cascade Township in the Grand Rapids area, raising funds for firefighters with cancer statewide.

“Training consisted of walking minimum three to five miles every other day with a 50 pound weight vest and once a week we would walk 10 to 12 miles. On the other days we trained with light weights and incorporated P90x. We did this five to six days a week. I also believe that this is one of the best ways to stay fit for the fire service,” Warne said.

This year’s walk, the third annual, started on Sept. 9 at Macomb Township Fire Station 2 on 21 Mile Road, west of Romeo Plank Road, in Macomb Township. A ceremony kicked off the walk. A few of the many speakers included Warne, Macomb Township Fire Chief Robert Phillips, Macomb Township Fire Chaplain Carl Seitz, Macomb Township Fire Capt. David Koss, and state Rep. Jeff Yaroch. Warne estimated that between 100 and 200 people attended the walk down 21 Mile Road, and about three township fire apparatus joined the parade.

“We could not have asked for a better send off. Chief Phillips and the township board did another amazing job. We had a few speakers and gave some gifts to the wives of the fallen firefighters. We had a two mile parade and a Coast Guard fly over, down 21 Mile,” Warne said.

The walk route for this year differed in that Warne wanted to attend 9/11 memorial services in Lansing. Fellow firefighters joined Warne on his journey for portions of the walk. Civilians were also welcome to join the walk. Warne estimated that about 25 firefighters from Macomb Township joined him on the walk, some participating for two miles, some seven miles and some for an entire day.

Firefighters from across the state also joined in the walk at different times along the way from departments such as Shelby Township, Utica, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Waterford Township, White Lake Township, Holly, Hartland Township, Highland Township, Howell, Sparta, Lowell, Portland and Cascade Township. Warne said that Fire Rescue Specialist Jarrett Beshears arrived from the Plano Fire Department in Texas to walk for a day on 9/11, as Beshears is planning to launch a similar walk in his home state. On 9/11, Warne had 16 firefighters with him at different times throughout the day. For the first time, however, three other people completed the full four-day trek with Warne.

“We had Marshall Wood and Steve Bourdo, TikTok sensations, wanting to use their platform to assist and they survived all four days,” Warne said. “Then we had the wife of fallen Fire Capt. Jeff Brozich join us to honor her late husband and walked all four days as well. Lindsay was a complete machine. If we had to guess how many joined us throughout the walk including escorts, 115 total firefighters. We had many new faces this year, too many to count.”

Warne accepted donations while walking, and links were available on the Neighbors United Facebook page to accept donations as well.

The walk concluded at Cascade Township Fire Station 2, located at 2990 Buttrick in Cascade Township, east of Grand Rapids.

“Cascade Township always treats us like family. The firefighters join us on the city border. Three walk to the finish with us every year with an engine escort. We are then greeted on almost every block by citizens waiting for us to walk by. Once you hit the station there is about, 100 people waiting and every piece of apparatus is sitting out with lights on. This year we were walking in with bagpipes,” Warne said.

As soon as one year’s walk concludes, fundraising starts up again for the next year’s walk. Donations are accepted year-round. More information can be found via  facebook.com/neighborsunitedmi.