By Jessie Forand
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A veteran firefighter is working to inspire girls to follow their dreams.
Tina Guiler, who has worked as a firefighter for 22 years, created a Kickstarter campaign for the Triple F Firefighter doll.
Triple F, she said, stands for “Fierce Female Firefighters,” something she hopes to impart on up-and-comers.
As of Thursday, Guiler shared the news that she surpassed her initial $8,700 goal.
“We are going to make a lot of kids (and adults) smile with these dolls,” she wrote.
The goal has been raised to $20,000, with a deadline of July 22.
With the motto “If they can see it, they can be it,” Guiler designed dolls dressed in a fire bunker coat, wearing a fire helmet and carrying an axe. They come with an inspirational quote supplied by a real female firefighter.
“You won’t find this logo or doll anywhere else in the world,” Guiler wrote on her fundraising page.
All are washable and appropriate for ages 3 and up. Guiler said the dolls are available and applicable to all genders, too: “Who doesn’t love a firefighter?”
In addition, a Triple F Facebook group has more than 6,400 female members from 40 countries.