Community remembers Toledo firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice through Toledo Strong

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - Firefighters work to protect and serve our community. On Sunday, the community was there to serve them, on a day that Toledo firefighters will never forget.

“January 26 is a tough day for a lot of firefighters who were on the job at that time,” said Larry Cready, the founder of local nonprofit Toledo Strong.

Eleven years ago, on Jan. 26, 2014, Pvt. Stephen Machinski and Pvt. Jamie Dickman were killed while fighting a fire.

Their spirits live on through their fellow firefighters.

“It’s really important for the entire department that we keep their memory going and that we do celebrate what they did for us and for the community,” said Sheldon Collins, the public information officer for the Toledo Fire Department.

Stephen and Jamie’s ultimate sacrifice is also recognized every year by the group Toledo Strong.

Cready said he founded the nonprofit to offer support to first responders. Volunteers passed out meals at all Toledo Fire Stations to honor Stephen and Jamie.

“This is just our way of just showing the appreciation from the community to them,” Cready said.

It was all about handing out a meal, and some recognition to our first responders.

“Just showing kindness and even the little things matter the most to people,” said Kierra Cready, the youth ambassador for Toledo Strong.

This year, it wasn’t just Toledo Strong. Meals were passed out to several departments surrounding the Toledo area including Oregon, Perrysburg Township, and Springfield Township.

The latter was added in 2024 to honor fallen Toledo Firefighter Sterling “Butch” Rahe, who worked at the township part-time.

Springfield Township Assistant Fire Chief Andrew Sauder said Toledo Strong’s annual meals are a fitting tradition.“This is just evidence from the community that even though their physical body’s gone, everything that they’ve done for the community is always going to be remembered,” Sauder said.

Organizers with Toledo Strong said this year they passed out meals to around 325 firefighters at 40 different stations.

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