In 2004, the first National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Golf Tournament was held in Fairfield, Pennsylvania. This tournament was not only a successful fundraiser, but also served to heighten awareness of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and its mission to honor the nation's fallen fire heroes and provide support and resources to their survivors. Now in its seventh year, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Golf Tournament has evolved into an annual event where members of the fire service, the local business community, survivors of fallen firefighters, and others join together for a fun day of golf and fellowship in support of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Encouraged by the success of the Fairfield Tournament, individuals from across the country have since stepped forward to host similar events in their areas. Over the last seven years, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Golf Program has expanded incrementally, both in number of events and in revenue generated. In 2010, approximately 50 National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Golf Tournaments will be held in the United States; proceeds from this outreach are expected to net more than $350,000 in operating funds for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Golf Tournament program has rapidly become an important source of revenue for the Foundation. Since the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation receives no direct government funding, it must rely upon grants; individual, business, and corporate contributions; and fundraising events to support its programming. Proceeds from fundraising events, including the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial Golf Tournaments, directly support the upkeep and future expansion of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and enable surviving family members and coworkers of fallen firefighters to attend the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend held there each October. These funds also help to endow scholarships and job training for the spouses, children, and stepchildren of fallen firefighters, and enable the Foundation to provide logistical and emotional support to both volunteer and career departments, when coping with a line-of-duty fatality from within their ranks.

Additional financial support also empowers the Foundation to commit significant resources toward the prevention of future firefighter deaths and casualties. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's comprehensive national efforts, most notably the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives and the Everyone Goes Home® program, are helping to create a paradigm shift within the fire service, moving firefighter health and safety to the forefront of priorities for the industry. National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Golf Tournaments also help to advance the goal of a safer future for firefighters by serving as a venue in which to promote national safety efforts, such as the Seatbelt Pledge, at a local scale.

By partnering with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Golf Tournament program, your business can assist the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in fulfilling its mission to honor the past sacrifice of our nation's heroes, and to prevent the casualties and fatalities of tomorrow. There are numerous ways to get involved, and to demonstrate your support:

• Golf at a National Fallen Firefighters Foundation tournament, or attend a tournament dinner.
• Volunteer at a local tournament.
• Become an individual, business, or corporate sponsor; sponsorships may be dedicated to the memory of a fallen family member or coworker.
• Donate an auction item or prize for a tournament.
• Make an in-kind donation of a meal or service to your local tournament.

The support of the business community and the hard work and dedication of our Tournament Coordinators, committee members, and volunteers have enabled the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Golf Tournament program to grow rapidly, and to make a significant contribution to the efforts of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Please consider donating your time and talent to this outreach, and help us to continue to make a difference.

The Seventh Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Friday June 11, 2010 in Fairfield, Pennsylvania. For information about this event, or any of the Regional National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Golf Tournaments, please visit Golf.FireHero.org or contact Tricia Hurlbutt at golf@firehero.org or (410) 353-0216.

Related:
» Visit: Our Golf Website at Golf.FireHero.org