Firehouse Subs is honoring heroic K-9s on National First Responders Day with adorable plushies.
Starting on Wednesday, Oct. 28, customers can purchase any of the three plushies, modeled after three real-life heroic dogs that have served communities across the country, at a participating Firehouse Subs locations.
"As a brand founded by firefighters, honoring those who answer the call is at the heart of everything we do," Firehouse Subs President Mike Hancock said in a statement. "Our K-9 Crew celebrates the remarkable four-legged heroes who serve alongside first responders every day, giving our guests a fun and meaningful way to recognize their service while supporting the communities they protect."
Here's what you need to know if you want to snag
a plushie.
When will the plushies be available for purchase?
The plushies will be available for purchase on National First Responders Day, Wednesday, Oct. 28, at in-person locations while supplies last.
How much will the plushies cost?
The plushies will retail for $9.95, and 100% of the profits will support the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which provides equipment to first responders.
Since 2005, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has awarded first responders more than $112 million in "lifesaving equipment," according to a Firehouse Subs news release.
Those who want to donate to the foundation but don't want to buy a plushie can still do so. A portion of each Firehouse Subs purchase is donated to the foundation.
According to Firehouse Subs, you can also donate online through the foundation's website.
Meet the heroic pups the plushies are modeled after
- K-9 Stone: Stone is a "Search and Rescue Hero." The golden retriever helped search for and locate people impacted by multiple major disasters across the U.S., including the Surfside condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida, about 15 miles northeast of Miami, and the Maui wildfires.
- K-9 Ember: Ember is a "Community Hero" who serves with the Sevierville Fire Department in Tennessee. The Dalmatian helps educate others about fire safety and serves as an ambassador for the fire station.
- K-9 Echo: Echo is a "Police K-9 Hero." In 2023, the German shepherd joined the Sartell Police Department in Minnesota through a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant. Since then, the K-9 has helped police locate missing people and detect potential threats.
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers space phenomena, scientific studies and natural disasters. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Firehouse Subs celebrates National First Responders Day with plushies
