Bond of Brotherz nonprofit working to hydrate mid

Water pallets are loaded into an Otisville Department of Public Works truck during the "Hydrate our Heroes" campaign at General Towing and Recovery in Mt. Morris on May 17, 2023. The event was put on by Bond of Brotherz, a non-profit serving military, veterans, first responders and services dogs.

MT MORRIS, MI – A stream of pickups and trucks hauling trailers pulled into the parking lot of General Towing and Recovery on Wednesday, all there for the same reason – to pick up water and tools for local fire departments.

Bond of Brotherz 21 19 1, a nonprofit organization supporting military, veterans, first responders and service dogs founded in 2017, has donated water and supplies through its "Hydrate our Heroes" campaign for the past few years.

Cathie Pulley, the nonprofit's president, said water is "liquid gold" to firefighters.

"Especially in the warmer months because it's hydration," Pulley said. "I mean, this could save their lives."

This year, 40 water pallets were donated to give away to departments on Wednesday, May 17, off North Dort Highway in Mt. Morris.

Pulley said approximately 30 departments, spanning five counties across the state, showed interested, including Genesee Township, Flint Township, Mt. Morris City, Saginaw, Burton, Davison, Frankenmuth and Otter Lake.

Blue Triton Brands of Stanwood has provided water for the last three years, Pulley said, while also transporting pallets to the pickup location.

"(Blue Triton) has followed through and really gone (above and) beyond because it's more than water," Pulley said.

In addition to water, Bond of Brotherz donates tools, such as gloves and battery powered saws, to improve conditions for firefighters while they are on the job.

Pulley said the campaign is a team effort between Bond of Brotherz and the other organizations who donate their time and resources.

While Blue Triton supplies the water, General Towing and Recovery, provides its business as the pickup site, along with the equipment to load pallets into vehicles when departments come to get the water.

Pulley added many of the departments who benefit from Hydrate our Heroes have limited funding and the efforts helps "free up their budget."

"This campaign is huge to my heart," Pulley said. "It's more than water – It's gratitude. A lot of these men and women suffer things and have seen things that I shouldn't see. So, this says ‘hey, we care about you, we have you.’"