FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Christmas came early for first responders around Flagler County on Tuesday as the Knights of the Inferno and The Punishers Motorcycle Clubs made the rounds to drop off checks.
Starting with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, state and local chapter president Joe Vece presented Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly and the Flagler Sheriff’s Children’s Charities with a $2,000 check to help with their upcoming ‘Shop with a Cop’ event on December 15th.
Providing 140 children with a $200 holiday shopping experience, the FCSO staff and team members contribute an estimated $24,000 to this year’s total with supporters and sponsors helping make up the difference.
“Working with our community partners, Sheriff’s Office employees donate a lot of money also, we’re able to take them shopping, not only for themselves but for their siblings and usually their family members,” said Sheriff Staly. “It’s a great opportunity to build relationships between law enforcement, Sheriff’s Office, our partners and the kids.”
Just around the corner for stop number two, the M/C Clubs handed off $1,000 to Flagler County Fire Rescue’s Chief Michael Tucker, who plans to purchase safety tactile gear for his team. At the cost of nearly $1,000 each, the pricey safety gear is vital to first responders who work to save lives while law enforcement addresses the dangerous situations like active shooters.
“Prior to Columbine, there was a time when we used to stage several miles down the road and wait for police officers to get on scene and secure the scene. But the reality is while the police officers are getting on scene and securing, people are still dying,” said Chief Tucker.
“We’ve got to get in as quickly as possible and stop that bleeding, to try to stop them from dying. The police officer is going to continue to stop the bad guys from killing, we’re going to try to stop people from dying.”
Tucker appreciated the source of the funding as a result of the 9/11 Memorial Ride held each year by the Knights of the Inferno.
“Obviously 9/11 is pretty special to us. Remembering those who lost their lives is a pretty big deal for us,” said Chief Tucker. “To be supported by the Knights of the Inferno is pretty spectacular.”
With a final stop in Palm Coast, members of the Palm Coast Professional Firefighters Local 4807 accepted a $500 donation for their upcoming Heroes & Helpers Holiday Celebration set for December 23rd at the Palm Coast Community Center. Families will be treated to a morning of holiday activities and a visit from Santa Clause according to Palm Coast Professional Firefighters Vice President Patrick Juliano.
“We believe in being benevolent and doing good for our community, so we do this holiday event every Christmas for the kids,” he said.
“It’s great because regardless of if you’re working or not, you’re still part of that brotherhood. Being a first responder is certainly a fraternal feeling. Regardless of the patch you wear or how long you’ve worn it for, you’re all still one unit,” said Juliano with gratitude for the donation.
All funds distributed were raised during the annual 9/11 Memorial Ride hosted by the Knights of the Inferno and supported by The Punishers, Flagler Chapter. As a retired firefighter, chapter president Joe Vece and his team have worked hard to keep the memory of 9/11 alive by spearheading the motorcycle ride. Paying respects to those lost by providing support for those serving today makes everyone feel good.
“This our 17th year for the ride and probably between the original Christmas with a Deputy and Shop with a Cop, I would say it’s a good seven years now we’ve been doing that program,” shared Vece.
“We gave out $3,500 today and we gave to the Gammon, the firefighter who passed away, we gave money to his family. We give money out throughout the year but this is our big one from the 9/11 event. We teamed up with The Punishers Motorcycle Club, Carmine Celico is the President of the Flagler Chapter, they help us out with it so they’re here today to do the presentation.”
“Who wouldn’t want to be a part of helping out the kids,” added Celico. “We’re getting ready to help out the kids of Flagler County, plus with my brother’s foundation, the Frank Celico Foundation every year, we donate bicycles to the children.”
“The money comes from the 9/11 Memorial Ride, which in turn we give back to these three agencies, which gives back to the community. It’s just a round circle but it’s all in the memory of 9/11,” said Vece.
