Our vision is to be the best charity for firefighters and their families.
We believe it feels good to do good, and that every ounce of help matters.
That's why we host individual Mayday Campaigns, ensuring that EVERY SINGLE PENNY you donate directly benefits the recipients. In fact, we go the extra mile by adding an additional 3.43% to maximize the impact of your contributions.
Click the links below to discover the lives you can touch and the difference you can make. Each story is a testament to the strength and resilience of our firefighting community.
Your contribution, no matter the amount, will be a beacon of hope, lighting the way forward for those who have dedicated their lives to serving others. With your help, we can continue being the lifeline that our firefighter community relies on.
Answering the Call for a Fallen Brother: Support Lt. Billy VanPeursem's Family
We tragically lost Lieutenant William "Billy" VanPeursem on April 23rd. Billy was a dedicated firefighter with the Bangor Fire Department for 35 years, serving as Lieutenant on Engine 5 and as an active member of IAFF Local 772.
Donate Now to Support the VanPeursem Family
A Hero Falls: Support the Family of KCFD's Graham Hoffman
The fire service mourns the loss of Kansas City Firefighter-Paramedic Graham Hoffman, 29, who died tragically in the line of duty on Sunday. While providing care during a medical call, Graham was fatally attacked. His commitment to serving the citizens of Kansas City since 2022 was cut short by this senseless act.
Donate Now to Support the Hoffman Family
Support the Family of Heroic Chicago Firefighter Captain David Meyer
The alarm sounded, and Captain Dave Meyer answered the call, as he had for 28 years with the Chicago Fire Department. Wednesday morning, battling a fierce garage fire on the West Side, tragedy struck. Captain Meyer made the ultimate sacrifice, leaving behind a grieving city and a loving family – his wife, parents, three daughters, and a son.
Show Captain Meyer's family they are not alone. Donate today and honor the legacy of a true Chicago hero.
Ignite Hope for Donnie: Support His Cancer Journey
Donnie is currently undergoing aggressive treatment at Duke Cancer Center and is proactively seeking further options with upcoming consultations at Memorial Sloan Kettering and MD Anderson. This journey requires significant resources, and as his fire service family, we want to surround him with unwavering support.
Your generous donation will provide crucial assistance for Donnie's treatments, travel for second opinions, and alleviate the financial burden on him and his family.
Firefighters Helping Firefighters: Supporting the Witt Family
For Andrew Witt, giving back is second nature. You know the type – the guy who'd literally give you the shirt off his back.
Please consider making a donation to help the Witt family during this incredibly challenging time. Your generosity will provide crucial support as they navigate these hardships and allow Andrew to focus on his recovery, knowing his family is being cared for by their community.
Donate Now to Support the Witt Family
Honoring Lt. Ray Vargas: Supporting His Family in Their Time of Need
In the second week of March 2025, Baltimore County Firefighter Lt. Ray Vargas received a devastating diagnosis of Leukemia AML. His battle was swift and fierce, leading to his passing on March 27, 2025. Lt. Vargas fought bravely, but the aggressive nature of the cancer, compounded by complications, ultimately took him from us. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Caroline, and his 15-year-old son, Gavin.
The IAFF Local 1311 community, alongside friends and family, are rallying to support Caroline and Gavin during this incredibly difficult time. We're raising funds to help alleviate the financial burden they now face. Your generous contributions will provide crucial support for their immediate needs and future stability. Please join us in honoring Lt. Vargas's memory by supporting his family.
A Firefighter's Family Needs Your Support: Help Stephanie Fight Breast Cancer.
Stephanie Turner, wife of Springfield Township Firefighter Dylan Turner, is battling Metaplastic Breast Cancer while 19 weeks pregnant. As a respiratory therapist, she is currently unable to work, and Dylan is balancing his firefighting duties with caring for their 2-year-old son.
Help ease their financial burden during this challenging time. Your donation will directly support their medical and living expenses. Please donate and share this campaign to show your support.
Chief Matt Bramel: Fighting a New Battle, We Need Your Support
Matt Bramel has dedicated over 35 years of his life to serving our community. As a respected Chief of our local fire department and a Supervisor-Paramedic with the County Ambulance service since 1993, Matt has always been the first to respond in times of need. Now, he faces his own critical battle.
Donate Now to Support Chief Bramel
In Memory of Sethe Menta: Killawog Fire Company Remembers
On March 6th, 2025, the Killawog Fire Company and our community suffered a profound loss with the passing of Sethe Menta in a tragic car accident. Sethe's impact reached far beyond the firehouse, touching the lives of his sister, brothers, parents, grandparents, and countless friends and family members. As we grieve together, we also want to provide tangible support to his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
Livonia's Hero Needs Our Help: Support Captain Matt Bernelis's Recovery
Matt's strength and resilience are an inspiration to us all. He faced a year-long battle with Neuroendocrine Cancer and returned to full duty, demonstrating his unwavering commitment. Now, he faces another challenge, and we need to stand by him.
Your generous donation will directly support Matt, his wife, and his triplets during this difficult time, ensuring they can cover essential expenses while he focuses on healing. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. Let's show Captain Matt Bernelis that he's not alone in this fight.
Generall Fernbach's Fight: Support a Firefighter's Second Battle Against Cancer
We're calling on our community, especially our firefighter family, to rally around Generall Fernbach. Your generous donations will help alleviate the financial strain of medical bills and allow him to focus on his fight. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. Let's show Generall Fernbach that he's not alone in this battle
Support Danville (VA) Firefighter Kaleb’s family
Kaleb was a true fireman’s firefighter, embodying dedication, courage, and unwavering commitment. His impact, though far too brief, was profound and lasting. Beyond his service, he was a cherished brother, a loyal friend, and a loving family man. His laughter and spirit will be deeply missed.
We are now reaching out to our community for support to help Kaleb’s beloved family—his wife Natalie, his son Noah, and his parents Kevin and Tonya—through this incredibly difficult time.
Laramie's Hero: Help Dylan Schilt Overcome His Injuries
Dylan is a dedicated member of the Laramie firefighting community, a true hero who has always put the safety of others first. Now, he needs our support. The road to recovery will be long and costly, with medical expenses, rehabilitation, and necessary adjustments to his life.
Your generous donations will directly support Dylan and his family during this difficult time. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in his journey to recovery. Let's rally around Dylan and show him the strength of our community.
Jacob Wilburn: A Firefighter's Courageous Battle Needs Your Help
We are asking for your support to help Jacob and his family during this difficult time. Your generous donations will help alleviate the financial burden of medical expenses and allow Jacob to focus on his recovery. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference.
Please join us in supporting Jacob Wilburn as he faces this challenge with the same courage and dedication he displays every day on the front lines.
Colin's Mayday: Fighting Fire with Fire, Against Cancer.
Subject: Colin's Mayday: Fighting Fire with Fire, Against Cancer.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Imagine a life dedicated to service, running towards danger when others flee. That's Colin Sperry. A 33-year-old firefighter, a husband, a brother in the brotherhood, and a pillar of our community. But life, as we know, can shift in an instant.
Colin, a man who spends his days battling flames, found himself facing an unexpected inferno within. What began as a nagging feeling, dismissed as a stubborn cold, turned into a terrifying reality. "I felt like absolute dogshit," Colin shared, recalling the start of this year. His wife, sensing something more, urged him to the ER. And thank God she did.
The diagnosis was swift and brutal: Diffuse Large B-Cell NH Lymphoma. A large mediastinal mass, not fluid, was revealed in his chest X-ray. Cancer. At 33.
Fort Lee Fire Chief Mike DeGidio Loses Home in Devastating Fire
We are launching this urgent fundraiser to provide Mike with immediate housing and cover his living expenses. Every dollar counts. Please, donate what you can to help Mike DeGidio rebuild his life. Let's show him that his community stands with him, just as he has always stood with us. Your generosity will provide him with the lifeline he desperately needs.
Remember Leroy Terrell: A Firefighter Who Touched Countless Lives
The brotherhood of firefighters is a bond unlike any other. On February 15th, 2025, we lost one of our own, Leroy Terrell, in a tragic accident. Leroy was a dedicated member of the Ellettsville Fire Department and served with Monroe Fire District, Pleasant Run Fire Department, and Lawrence County Fire Territory. He answered the call to serve every day, and now it's our turn to answer the call for his family. This campaign will provide crucial support to Leroy's family, including his nieces and nephews who loved him dearly, as they navigate this heartbreaking loss.
Help a Firefighter's Son Breathe Easy: Support Ayden's Recovery
On February 2nd, the world turned upside down for the Barss family. Ayden, the son of Saratoga Springs Fire IAFF Local 343 member Derrick Barss, was admitted to Albany Medical Center, initially diagnosed with the flu. Tragically, Ayden's condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to pneumonia, a tension pneumothorax, and lung necrosis. He underwent emergency surgery to place a chest tube and now faces a long and challenging road to recovery.
Honoring the Legacy of Firefighter Mike Kleinhaus
Mike Kleinhaus wasn't just a firefighter; he was a force of nature. His humor, his laughter, and his unwavering commitment to helping others defined him. Serving with both the Evergreen Park and Merrionette Park Fire Departments, Mike embodied the true spirit of a firefighter. He leaves behind a loving wife and son, who now face the devastating loss of their husband and father. In the wake of this tragedy, we ask for your immediate support. Your donation will directly aid Mike's family as they navigate the difficult days ahead, helping them with immediate expenses and providing a measure of comfort during this heartbreaking time. Every act of generosity, big or small, will help keep Mike's spirit alive by supporting those he loved most. Please donate today.
Honoring a Hero: Support the Family of Assistant Chief Rolewicz
The firefighting community mourns the loss of Assistant Chief Timothy "Rolly" Rolewicz, a 28-year veteran who dedicated his life to protecting our community. Rolly was more than just a firefighter; he was a loving husband, a proud father of three, and a true friend to all who knew him. He was known for his unwavering commitment to his fellow firefighters, always looking out for their well-being.
Today, we ask you to answer the call for help. Rolly's sudden passing has left his family facing unimaginable grief and financial uncertainty. Your generous donation will go directly to his wife, Nona, and their three children, including 10-year-old twins, to help them navigate this difficult time.
Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference. Let's show the Rolewicz family that they are not alone and that we stand with them in their time of need.