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Bellringer: Retiree donates in memory of his fallen firefighter pals
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More from County NewsJohnnie Van Manen has lost far too many of his firefighter buddies to cancer and heart attacks.
So this year, the retired firefighter donated $100 to the Bellringer in his colleagues' memory.
Van Manen, who worked for 25 years with the Ventura County Fire Department, especially appreciates the Salvation Army because volunteers used to take food out to firefighters on the job.
"I've seen them walk a mile back into the brush," said Van Manen, who lives in Ventura. "They'd bring us coffee and chocolate bars."
The Star's annual Bellringer drive will run through Christmas, with the newspaper publishing lists of readers' contributions. All money raised will be given to the Salvation Army to serve needy local people.
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