Local Girl Raising Money To Give Firefighters Pet Oxygen Masks

Emily Rilling has always liked to give gifts in place of receiving them, and on her recent birthday, she decided to do good for local fire companies and pets.

Before Emily’s recent 12th birthday on May 5, she informed her mom, Colleen Rilling, that instead of receiving gifts, she wanted to give back to her community.

Having four dogs at home made the decision to benefit local pets an easy one for Emily, a sixth grader at Our Lady of Grace School in Penndel. With the help of her family, Emily did some research and discovered that many fire departments often go without pet-specific oxygen masks. Oftentimes, fire companies will attempt to use masks meant for human use with varying results.

“When we saw the response from the departments, we found that the majority of the stations do not have these masks,” Colleen Rilling said.

As of Wednesday, the Rillings have delivered mask kits to 15 fire companies in Lower Bucks County.

Emily’s original goal was to purchase masks for all of the companies in Middletown. Upon discovering how sparse pet masks really are, Emily decided to expand that mission to purchase a kit for every company in the county. Each kit includes three masks and the necessary tubing and costs $61, Colleen Rilling said.

The Rillings began with donations to the Parkland, Penndel, and William Penn fire companies. Since then, they have also delivered to the Trevose, Nottingham, Feasterville, Lower Southampton, Upper Southampton, Cornwells, Levittown, and Eddington fire departments along with Bensalem Fire and Rescue.

Bristol Township is next on the list, Emily said.

“They seem very grateful and appreciative when they receive the kits,” Emily said.

Emily began raising money through private donations on her birthday invitations. Since then, Colleen has started a fundraiser on Facebook, looking to raise $3,250. In total, about $4,000 between Facebook donations and checks have come through.

“It means a lot to me that people are willing to pitch in to help animals,” said Emily, a veritable animal lover who has dogs.

Emily’s dogs have been competing in agility contests since she was 6. She is also a therapy dog handler.

“It makes me so incredibly proud of her,” Colleen Rilling said.

Giving up birthday gifts is not something the typical 12-year-old might do but that kindness is part of Emily, Colleen Rilling added.