From helping communities recover after tragedies, to touching the hearts of those in need, these stories are truly inspiring. Circuit City recently visited the finalists and created a video story for each to help bring the essays to life. Videos for all finalists can be viewed here: http://web.firedog.com/acrossamerica/vote.aspx

Now that the ten finalists have been selected (see below this email for the ten finalists), we need everyone's help deciding who the grand prize winner will be. Each of the ten finalist firehouses will receive $20,000 for much-needed equipment and the corresponding essay writer will receive a home "techover" worth $10,000, courtesy of Circuit City's firedog(SM) services team.

And as a firedog Across America finalist, these ten firehouses are now eligible to win additional funding during this final stage of the campaign when America votes for a $100,000 grand prize winner. Until May 13, Americans can visit www.firedog.com to view all ten firehouse finalists' stories (also pasted below this email) and vote for their favorite. Each vote will result in a donation of $1 to the voter's chosen firehouse. At the culmination of the voting stage, the firehouse with the most votes will win the grand prize. The winner will be announced the week of May 14, 2007.

If you do decide to share the contest with your readers, visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/circuitcityfiredog where you'll find the ten finalist videos available for embedding. There is also a banner available for your use. If you'd like me to send it, please let me know.

firedog Across America Finalists:
Chesapeake Fire Station #15 - Chesapeake, VA
A Virginia fire station guides troubled youths on the road to self-discovery with a unique outdoor adventure program that teaches important life skills, including coping, problem solving, trust, teamwork and communication.

Chickahominy Volunteer Fire Department Station 10 - Ashland, VA
A young man with Down syndrome sees his lifelong dream come true when a Virginia firehouse asks him to join its squad.
Contra Costa County Engine 83 - Antioch, CA
California firefighters risk their own safety to assist a local police officer shot in the line of duty, comforting the injured officer in his final moments of life even while the gunman is still at large.

Dover Fire & Rescue - Dover, NH
A New Hampshire firehouse exemplifies brotherhood when it reaches to support a squad member's family after he's deployed to Iraq with the National Guard.

Keeseville Volunteer Fire Department - Keeseville, NY
Despite limited financial resources, a local rescue squad leads a ten-day search to recover the body of a missing rafter lost on New York's Au Sable River long after federal, state and county rescue agencies had given up hope.

Newportville Fire Company No.1 - Levittown, PA
A firehouse brings joy to a local 4-year-old with terminal brain cancer by naming him Honorary Fire Chief, inspiring the squad and winning the affection of the entire Pennsylvania community.

Reminderville Fire Department - Reminderville, OH
An entire Ohio firehouse walks in the American Cancer Society's 24-hour-long Relay for Life and shocks bystanders by running – in full gear – the final 30 minutes of the course.

Rockaway Point Fire Department - Breezy Point, NY
New York station demonstrates unyielding commitment to public service with contributions to the 9-11 recovery efforts and annual participation in the "Wounded Warriors" event, which hosts injured Iraq War veterans from Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

San Diego Rural Fire Station #76 - El Cajon, CA
A firefighter turns his Harbison Canyon home into a temporary firehouse when Firestorm 2003 destroys everything in its path including his squad's station and equipment.

West Jackson County Volunteer Fire Department - Biloxi, MS
Concerned citizens-turned-firefighters lead a grassroots effort to bring fire safety to a small Mississippi town and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina become an integral part of the disaster recovery process.