(NEWS CENTER Maine)-- Firefighters from the Munjoy Hill Firehouse became aware of 9 year old Jacob Thompson’s story after he gained nationwide attention for requesting Christmas cards to celebrate his favorite holiday when Doctor’s informed his family that he would not live to see Christmas last year as a result of his neuroblastoma diagnosis (a rare form of cancer that affects mostly children). The outpouring of support resulted in Jacob receiving Christmas cards from all over the world.
After Jacob passed away, the firefighters from the Munjoy Hill Firehouse learned that Jacob and his Father used to visit the Eastern Promenade Playground, located on Munjoy Hill, and his Father’s dream was to someday place a Memorial bench there in his son Jacob’s memory. It was very obvious to the firefighters that this playground meant a lot to Jacob’s father and they decided that they wanted to assist make the dream of placing a memorial bench at that playground a reality.
Munjoy firefighters partnered with the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization and formed a GoFundMe page in early April and by early June they had raised enough money to purchase the bench and a plaque. Portland Parks & Recreation assisted with completing the application for the memorial bench program.
The Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization will be hosting a bench dedication ceremony November 17th at the Eastern Promenade playground. It will begin promptly at 11:32am (32 was Jacob’s favorite number).