by LESLIE PALMA-SIMONCEK
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Calvary Chapel and its sponsors treated 125 firefighters and their spouses or guests to dinner and a movie Thursday night.
The extraordinary outreach continues the Mariners Harbor church's ministry to the New York Fire Department following its devastating losses in the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001.
Rev. Dave Watson, pastor, said the evening was simply an expression of gratitude.
"You run into a burning building, somebody ought to say 'thank you,'" he said in between prize giveaways during dinner at the Staaten in West Brighton.
Linette and Adam Lazatin of Meiers Corners were the grand-prize winners of the night, taking home tickets for a cruise to Bermuda courtesy of Princess Travel in Dongan Hills.
Sponsoring the dinner, along with Calvary and the Staaten, were the Allen C. Bentson Agency in West Brighton; Bay Ridge Carpet and Linoleum; the Pickert/Watson Charitable Trust, and It's a New Beginning, a foundation begun by the Rev. Willie and Nancy Alfonso.
"Pastor Dave is one of the only ones who's been with these guys since 9/11 and stayed with them," said Rev. Alfonso, a chaplain for the New York and Staten Island Yankees and the New Jersey Nets.
Members of Engine 158 from Mariners Harbor showed up in force and were appreciative of the gesture.
"He's a good man," Coleman McMillan of West Brighton, said of Rev. Watson, who has been visiting the firehouse with his members since 1998.
"It's pretty amazing he got this all together," said John Spadaro of Tottenville.
Rob Grippo of Annadale and Mike Molinini of Huguenot said Rev. Watson often brings gifts -- and prayers -- to the firehouse.
"Pastor Dave is the greatest," Grippo said.
After dinner, the firefighters and their guests saw the film "Fireproof" at the UA Stadium 16 in Mariners Harbor, a day before its theatrical release.
The movie, starring Kirk Cameron, is about a firefighter with a failing marriage who pulls it together with the help of his father and God.
Calvary members paid for the firefighters to see the film, which opened in more than 800 theaters across the country yesterday.
Asked to fill out comment cards after the film, some said the drama was believable.
"It dealt with real-life situations," said one.
"I really enjoyed the movie. It really showed me if you are truly committed you can work things out," said another.
Capt. John Dunne of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association said the whole evening was "amazing, especially coming on the heels of the seventh anniversary of 9/11."
Rev. Watson will preach on "Fireproofing Your Marriage" at the 9 and 11 a.m. services tomorrow at Calvary Chapel, 30 Maple Parkway. Children's Church and nursery services are available for children 3 to 11 years old.
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