Less than two months in and the DeKalb Firefighters Union, Local 1236, has nearly reached its $30,000 fundraising goal from custom T-shirt sales and donations.

The DeKalb Fire Department began a fundraising campaign for the Associated Firefighters of Illinois on Aug. 19.

The money raised by the T-shirt sales and donations will be used to purchase a vehicle for a local wounded veteran. Since the start of the campaign, Local 1236 has sold about 2,400 shirts.

“We’ve had great success so far,” said Patrick Eriksen, DeKalb firefighter and paramedic.

Eriksen said the campaign isn’t limited to the goal of $30,000 and any extra funds will go toward modifying local veterans’ homes to make them more accessible.

The vehicle will be given to a local veteran on Nov. 13 during the halftime ceremony at the NIU football game against Ball State University.

Donations will be accepted up until the day of the game.

Once a veteran is chosen, he or she will decide which vehicle he or she wants. The vehicle must be American-made by union workers. It will be customized to meet the needs of the disabled veteran.

“We are just absolutely delighted to be supporting and working with the DeKalb Fire Department on their initiative,” said Rick Cerrone, branding and marketing adviser for Athletics.

The DeKalb Firefighters Union, Local 1236, and the Sycamore Firefighters Union, Local 3046, will host a tailgate event before the game where people can buy T-shirts and make donations. Chicago firemen will also attend.

“We’ve built some very good relationships within our local firefighters and the athletic department. It’s just kind of snowballed from there,” said Noah Millard, DeKalb firefighter, paramedic and union secretary.

T-shirts will continue to be sold at all home football games.

To order tickets to the tailgate, contact Patrick Eriksen at 630-308-2551 or Noah Millard at 815-703-5782.