Calendar sales heat up

On the cover of the 2013 edition of the Sudbury Firefighters calendar, Tyler Popowich can be seen powering through the flames.

His wife, Cindy Popowich, couldn't be more proud to see her husband “forging forward to good health.”

He may have no trouble saving lives and battling flames, but it wasn't long ago that the local firefighter was up against a different kind of battle. In February 2010, the Popowich family was turned upside by cancer.

Tyler and Cindy both spent quite a bit of time at the Northern Cancer Foundation, where Tyler would eventually be rid of the disease. When the time came to print the next calendar, it only made sense that it would benefit the facility that helped the Popowich family so much.

This year, proceeds from the calendar will go to the Sam Bruno PET Scanner Fund, which is managed by the NCF.

Anna Sampson, NCF community development manager, said contributions like this go a long way in supporting the organization.

“We help them out in any way we can,” she said. “This is obviously a fun (fundraiser) for us.”

Cindy has been helping firefighters prepare for the calendar shoots with the past three years. Working alongside photographer James Hodgins, the fitness model competitor readied the models with posing tips and bronzing.

“There is no altering of their physiques,” Cindy said. The models were simply given notice, and expected to be ready to shine in the finished product.

Trevor Fera, one of the firefighters in the calendar, said he's happy to donate his time and torso to such a good cause.

“We make a lot of money for a good cause,” he said. “The calendar has a following now.”

Of course, it's a fun project to be part of part of too.

“The guys enjoy doing it,” he said. “They enjoy the attention. It's a great reason for staying in shape.”

Visit www.sudburyfirefighters.com for more information or to buy a calendar.