Posted on Sep 1, 2022 in
NEWSWORTHY
Asst. Chief Mark Campise; 2022 Firefighters Gala Committee Co-Chairs Debbie and John Godbee; Battalion Chief Cindy King; Sugar Land Citizens Fire Academy Alumni President Suzanne Whatley; and Sugar Land Fire Chief Doug Boeker.
A recent Sugar Land Citizens Fire Academy Alumni Reunion – Eat, Drink and Catch Up – at Alings Chinese Bistro kicked off the exciting expectations for their upcoming 2022 Sugar Land Firefighters Gala set for September 10th. The annual fundraiser organized by the nonprofit alumni group is aimed at generating funds for enhancing the City of Sugar Land’s fire department’s services to residents as part of public safety that serves the entire community.
This year, lead volunteers of the fire academy alumni serving as the 2022 Firefighters Gala Committee Co-Chairs are John and Debbie Godbee. Already the Godbees have amped up plans for the fundraiser honoring the firefighters. Other active volunteers including Mita and Neel Patel, Sumita Ghosh and Annette Shinsky among others have stepped up to assist with the grand scale effort. These volunteers and the Godbees invite all firefighter academy alumni to participate and help take Sugar Land’s fire department to the next level.
The alumni group started the inaugural fundraiser last year in keeping with Sugar Land Fire Chief Doug Boeker’s view about how, “We are part of the community, and the community is part of us,” an acknowledged view of the fire department’s relationship with the community.
“Our firefighters believe this, live this and commit to this day in and day out,” said Fire Chief Boeker.
Last year’s inaugural firefighter gala on the 20th anniversary of 911 sold out and generated $100,000 from the generosity of its many supporters. The funds were used to purchase specialty equipment for the firefighters to better serve the residents of Sugar Land. This included a handheld thermal imaging camera, ultrasound imager and a respiratory ventilator, items purchased that fell outside the city’s budget.
Funds generated from the fundraiser also helped support other the alumni activities, including the Hearts & Hoses Program, which help members and a firefighter’s family members recovering from illness with hospital visits and family assistance, the Educational Scholarship program that offers financial support to family members of firefighters, and Community Connection relating to educational events by firefighters for the community among other programs.
Firefighter academy alumni and others are being asked to participate by volunteering in this year’s firefighter gala to help support public safety sector services that will impact lives. Those interested in participating or donating are asked to visit www.slcfaa.org or call 469.232.7589 for more information.
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