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In the News
All the latest news on Ignite the Spirit’s continued efforts to support Milwaukee Firefighters and their families.
Well done, Katie Maerker!
An enormous congratulations goes out to Katie Maerker, our 2022 Kristin Ciganke-Schroeder Scholarship Winner!
December 15, 2022 ITSMKE.ORG
WaterStone Bank Announces Nonprofit Finalists for 100th Anniversary Giving Campaign
WaterStone Bank today announced the five nonprofit finalists for its 100th Anniversary Giving Campaign. In no particular order, the nonprofits are: Ignite the Spirit-Milwaukee, One Hope 27, Special Spaces Wisconsin, Tosa Cares, and Unity in Motion Inc.
April 1, 2021 WSBONLINE
40 Under 40: Joe Flick
Joe Flick has devoted his life to firefighting. A firefighter for nearly two decades, he founded Ignite the Spirit-Milwaukee in early 2018 to generate financial resources that could be channeled to firefighters and their families when they needed it most.
March 24, 2021 BIZJOURNALS
Get to know much more about our 2021 40 Under 40 winners
Now is your chance to get to learn more about each of our 2021 40 Under 40 winners. Each of the honorees completed an extensive Q&Amp;A on topics such as their first job, career highlights, hobbies, mentors and thoughts on major issues impacting southeastern Wisconsin.
March 22, 2021 BIZJOURNALS
PTSD workers' compensation support for Wis. first responders remains out of reach
In what has been arguably the toughest year in recent history for first responders, access to care for post-traumatic stress disorder remains out of reach through the state's workers' compensation law.
Dec 08, 2020 WTMJ4-MILWAUKEE
Too Much Metal continues its creative can designs for 414 lager
Since it began brewing 414 lager in collaboration with Vernacular Brewing last year, Too Much Metal has been packaging the beer in special can designs.
Sep 08, 2020 ON-MILWAUKEE
Ignite the Spirit Milwaukee goes the 'extra mile' to help firefighters in need
Firefighters are just one division of heroes who serve our communities; and in Milwaukee specifically they continue to find ways to help others, through Ignite the Spirit-Milwaukee, to serve those who go beyond the call of duty placed on them as firefighters.
Aug 22, 2020 CBS58-MILWAUKEE
Canceled charity events hurt local foundations, businesses
The charity golf event to benefit the Fallen Firefighters Foundation was scheduled for Friday, July 24th, but it was cancelled this year because of the pandemic.
Jul 24, 2020 CBS58-MILWAUKEE
Milwaukee Fire Department Debuts Work Shirt to Honor Pride Month
The Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) and Ignite the Spirit-Milwaukee are showing support of the Milwaukee LGBTQ community and LGBTQ fire department members with a T-shirt that will be worn by members of the department during June and July to honor Pride month.
May 30, 2020 SHEPHERD EXPRESS
Milwaukee Fire Department backs LGBTQ community with custom T-shirt during Pride Month
June is Pride Month, and "Ignite the Spirit-Milwaukee" and the Milwaukee Fire Department are wearing their support for the LGBTQ community.
May 29, 2020 CBS58-MILWAUKEE
Local restaurant, Ignite the Spirit partner to deliver meals to Milwaukee firefighters
A local restaurant is doing their part in thanking front line workers who have tirelessly kept the public safe durining the coronavirus pandemic.
April 16, 2020 WTMJ4-MILWAUKEE
Wanna’ know what it’s like to be a first responder right now?
Joe Flick from Ignite The Spirit-Milwaukee checks in on "Feel Good Mornings with Joe.
April 13, 2020 B93.3-FM
TMJ4 mentions ITS to support Firefighters who suffer from PTSD
Their jobs are among the most dangerous available, but more firefighters die by suicide than by the dangers of their jobs. It's a startling statistic Milwaukee firefighters are all too familiar with.
February 25, 2020 WTMJ4-MILWAUKEE
Natalie’s Everyday Heroes: Joe Flick of Ignite the Spirit Milwaukee
Firefighters are known for being there to help in an emergency, but who’s there when firefighters need help? It’s a question one Milwaukee firefighter named Joe Flick has asked himself a lot. It inspired him to launch an organization called Ignite the Spirit Milwaukee.
February 5, 2020 CBS58-MILWAUKEE
Former Milwaukee firefighter suffers multiple strokes, family says insurance won't pay for therapy
The City of Milwaukee is known for coming together to help those in their time of need. Right now, a fundraiser for a former firefighter is offering the opportunity to help a family in need after he devoted much to the community.
January 25, 2020 WTMJ4-MILWAUKEE
‘I refuse to give up on him’: Fundraiser created to help Milwaukee firefighter who suffered multiple strokes
A fundraiser has been created to help a man who was working as a Milwaukee firefighter when he suffered a stroke.
January 21, 2020 CBS58-MILWAUKEE#GEPPERTSTRONG
Help bring joy to families in need with Milwaukee Fire Department. Supporting the Sojourner Family Peace Center.
Firefighters do so much to serve our communities and keep us safe. And this holiday season, they are doing even more! Joe Flick joins us to discuss how his organization, Ignite the Spirit - Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee Fire Department are helping to bring joy to families in need this holiday season.
December 8, 2019 WTMJ4-MILWAUKEEHOLIDAY CHEER
Get 2020 off to a smoking start: Enjoy 12 months of muscle and puppies, but how?
Joe Flick with Ignite the Spirit Milwaukee — and the Milwaukee Fire Department — joins Real Milwaukee with a sneak peek at their new calendar. Twelve months of muscle — that's what you'll find inside the Milwaukee Firefighter's 2020 calendar. But that's not all — it's also filled with puppies. Ignite the Spirit uses the calendar to help support firefighters when they can't be at work for family or personal health reasons.
November 14, 2019 FOX6-MILWAUKEETOO HOT TO HANDLE
A firefighter calendar for a great cause. The important mission of Ignite the Spirit.
Ignite the Spirit is an organization that works to support Milwaukee Firefighters and their families in times of need. You can support their important efforts by taking part in their 2nd annual Firefighter Calendar fundraiser!
November 10, 2019 WTMJ4-MILWAUKEEDON'T MISS IT!
Milwaukee firefighters' calendar helps those in need. The 12 months of muscle is just a bonus
Firefighters with muscles, and puppies, in a calendar. This is how Milwaukee Fire Department members are raising tens of thousands of dollars to help firefighters during times of need.
October 30, 2019 JSONLINE-MILWAUKEEWE'RE BACK!
TMJ4 Positively Milwaukee Award Show - Ignite The Spirit- Milwaukee President Joe Flick awarded Community Hero Award
The TODAY'S TMJ4 Positively Milwaukee Awards were created to honor unsung heroes around the community. And we are proud to say this is our third year honoring quiet leaders in our community.
October 3, 2019 WTMJ4-MILWAUKEETHE QUIET HEROES
Fuel Good Moments with Joe and Milwaukee Firefighter Joe Flick!
Fuel Good Moments look at the people around Milwaukee making a difference. This week Joe talks with MFD's Joe Flick!
August 7, 2019 YOUTUBEANOTHER JOE
Milwaukee Police and Fire departments ready to compete for a good cause
In March, the Milwaukee Police and Fire Departments will compete in two hockey games to raise money for charities.
February 7, 2019 WTMJ4-MILWAUKEECHARITY FACE-OFF
Community comes together to raise money for Milwaukee firefighter who lost wife to cancer
The community came together Sunday, Jan. 20 to help a Milwaukee firefighter and his family.
January 20, 2019 FOX6-MILWAUKEECOMMUNITY STEPS UP
OnMilwaukee features all-female crew to include 2019 Ignite The Spirit- Milwaukee Calendar Model
Earlier this month, Milwaukee Fire Department reached a notable landmark when, on the night of Nov. 9, for the first time in the city's history, a section of the city was protected by the watchful eyes of an all-woman crew.
November 21, 2018 ON-MILWAUKEERISE THROUGH THE RANKS
Milwaukee firefighters are out with a new calendar for a good cause.
Smokin' — that's the only way to describe this calendar. Joe Flick with Ignite the Spirit in Milwaukee and fellow firefighter Brian Cox join Real Milwaukee to talk about their organization and upcoming fundraiser.
November 14, 2018 FOX6-MILWAUKEEGETTING HOT IN HERE
A firefighter calendar supporting sick and injured heros.
It has been almost 25 years since Milwaukee Firefighters have been featured in a calendar, and the nonprofit Ignite The Spirit has finally changed that! The 2019 Ignite The Spirit Milwaukee Firefighter Calendar will raise funds to support sick or injured firefighters in our area.
November 9, 2018 WTMJ4-MILWAUKEETHE REAL DEAL