Donations
As of September 2023, we have given over $85,000 to first responders in the forms of financial assistance and cadet grants. We have met some fantastic first responders and made some very meaningful connections. We look forward to meeting new departments and first responders on this journey.
New Kinloch Fire Protection District (St. Louis, MO)
We are always proud to support the firefighters of the New Kinloch Fire Protection District. Chief Kevin Stewart is a fantastic ally.
Our very first donation went to Firefighter Arlydia Bufford. Arlydia was eating at a restaurant after paramedic training and was shot when a gunman opened fire on the restaurant.
Off-Duty FF Critically Injured in MO Restaurant Shooting | Firehouse
We were able to give back again to Kinloch Fire again for Jared Williams.
Jared was walking to the bus stop after his firefighter shift and was shot in a drive by shooting.
'God has shown himself': Kinloch firefighter recovering after getting shot (msn.com)
Cisco Fire Department (Cisco,TX)
Volunteer Fire Fighter Ian Leker and a family member were killed in a car accident. We were able to offer financial support to Ian’s mom, Tammie.
“I just want to thank you for being there when I lost my son. Ian passed away in June of this year. I now understand that firefighters, police, and EMTs are all family. Brett’s First Responders helped me through a rough stop.” – Tammie Leker
We look forward to seeing messages from Tammie and supporting the Leker Family.
Cisco volunteer firefighter killed in crash | KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com
Swansea Fire Department (Swansea,IL)
Words cannot express our appreciate and gratitude for the Swansea Fire Department. They have been with us for the good and the bad. Swansea Fire Department helped us bring Brett home, watch over him and our family during the funeral, and have provided support in so many ways.
We were beyond pleased to fund a grant for $2,500 to the Swansea Fire Department Explorer program. Brett was a leader in the explorer program and was passionate about inspiring young people to become first responders.
Germantown Fire Department (Germantown, IL)
The Germantown Fire Department received a $2500 grant for their explorer program to attend the Illinois Fire Service Institute. We love seeing young people gaining the skills to become first responders.
Highland Fire Department (Highland, IL)
We were honored to support the family of Daniel Tallman with $2500 as he goes through cancer treatments and gets ready to welcome a new baby to the family.
Rob Schield (Belleville, IL)
Rob was a friend of Brett and retired first responder. Rob also started a business developing fire cams for fire fighters. Rob was killed in an ATV accident. We were able to donate to Rob’s daughter so she can pursue college or other post high school education.
East Side Fire Department (Belleville,IL)
East Side Fire Department has been a great supporter of Brett and his family. We are appreciative of East Side for not only supporting the Korves Family but also our Swansea Fire Department family.
December 2021: Brad Henke is an East Side Fire District firefighter who was critically injured in a motorcycle accident. He is currently undergoing rehab at in inpatient facility. Our donation will help build a wheelchair ramp outside his house and make his home more accessible for when he is able to return.
Seattle Police Department (Seattle,WA)
Officer Lexi Harris was struck and killed by a car when she stopped to help motorists who had been in an accident after her shift.
Webster Groves Fire Department (Webster Groves, MO)
We were able to donate Todd Traylor and his family as he battles cancer. Todd Traylor and Todd Korves (one of our founders) work together through Xtreme Bar Bingo. We could not be happier to give to Todd and partner up with the Webster Groves Fire Department to support our first responders.
Champaign Fire Department (Champaign,IL)
We were able to help the family of Trevor Herderhorst after he passed away from cancer.
University of Illinois Police Department (Urbana,IL)
Brett's First Responders answered the call to help a police officer at the University of Illinois Police. Lt. Aaron Landers died from injuries sustained in a car crash. Landers had been on the UIPD force for 24 years. Landers was most recently the supervisor of the department’s new Community Outreach and Support Team, designed to pair officers with mental health counselors while responding to calls. Landers was off duty at the time of the crash.
https://illinoisnewsroom.org/crash-kills-university-of-illinois-police-officer/
Troy Fire Protection District (Troy,IL)
Darren Reeves, a volunteer firefighter in Troy,IL, recently finished undergoing radiation for a cancerous tumor. Our donation will go toward helping with ongoing medical bills.
Antonia Fire Protection District (Barnhart,MO)
We are proud to help the family of Bobby Chrisco, captain on the Antonia Fire Department in Missouri. Bobby fought a long battle with COVID-19 and we are proud to report he has returned home to his family. Good luck on your continuing recovery Bobby!
This story was close to our hearts for many reasons. A firefighter on Bobby’s department raced in one of the Brett Korves memorial races and won. We love seeing the connections in our community and the connections to Brett.
Clay City Fire Department (Clay City, IL)
We were pleased to offer support to Chief Tim of the Clay City Fire Department as he undergoes cancer treatments.
French Village Fire Department (Fairview Heights,IL)
Brett's family has a long history with the French Village Fire Department stretching back to Brett's dad and uncle volunteering with their department. We were pleased to help this department twice.
Brett's First Responders was able to offer $2500 to the French Village Fire Cadet program to continue encouraging young people to pursue interests in being first responders.
We were also able to donate to the family of Alfred "Alfie" LaPointe. We were able to offer support to Alfie's family while he went through cancer treatments. We will always be #AlfieStrong.
Pinckneyville Fire Department (Pinckneyville,IL)
We were pleased to offer support to Chuck McElvain of the Pinckneyville Fire Department as he battles complications of COVID.
Grantfork Fire Department (Grantfork,IL)
We were pleased to offer support to the Essenpreis family of the Grantfork Fire Department after their loss.
Detroit Fire Department (Detroit, MI)
We were pleased to offer support to Daniel Katzman of the Detroit Fire Department. Daniel suffered a spinal cord injury and is going through
rehab to return to his job as a paramedic. We wish Daniel the best on his recovery.
Glen Carbon Fire Department (Glen Carbon, IL)
We were pleased to offer support to the Glen Carbon Fire Department to get a cadet program started. Chief Jason Whitaker helped Brett with Swansea's cadet program and we know he will help inspire more young people to help their communities.
Caseyville Fire Department (Caseyville ,IL)
We were pleased to offer support to the Caseyville Fire Department to get a cadet program started. Chief Jeremy Diel is looking forward to updating the training opportunities for the cadets.
Hollywood Heights Fire Department (Caseyville ,IL)
We were pleased to offer support to Chief Sean Keilbach of the Hollywood Heights Fire Department. Sean and Brett raced together at one time and we were please to be able to support his family at their time of need.
Brazoria County Firefighters Association (Brazoria, TX)
We have connected with two fantastic families in Brazoria, Texas.
The Herron Family is a family of first responders with Johnetta, Matt, and their son all being volunteer fire fighters. Matt is battling pancreatic cancer and has not been able to work. We have been able to donate to their family to assist with bills that they needed paid as well as provide Christmas gifts for their young daughter.
Erin Boren is a volunteer firefighter who required brain surgery and was unable to return to work. We were able to help provide the family with some Christmas gifts and pay bills for the family.
Winooski Police Department (Winooski,VT)
Brett's First Responders was honored to donate $2,500 to Dean Lawrence-Fullerton. Dean is a 22 year law enforcement veteran who has been battling cancer for over a year now and is currently undergoing Car T cell therapy treatment in Boston. His family reached out to our organization to help with their financial needs as their income has been greatly impacted by Dean's diagnosis.
Fairview Heights Fire Department (Fairview Heights, IL)
We were honored to donate to long time firefighter Dave Wildermuth and his family. We donated in conjunction with fundraisers from Dave's fire department to help his family with whatever bills they needed to pay. Dave was a long-time firefighter and community leader.
North Forks Fire Department (North Forks, UT)
Brett's First Responders was able to help Firefighter and EMT Wolfsden with support after he needed to take time off following surgeries and health issues. We wish him the best as he recovers and gets back to the work he loves.
Acadian Ambulance Service (San Antonio,TX and Deridder,LA)
Brett's First Responders was able to help two EMT's with Acadian Ambulance Service.
Mandie Skelton in Deridder, LA is finishing up cancer treatments and needed financial assistance. She shared: "“A cancer journey isn't over just because you hit remission status. With the side effects of chemo, life is still a long and hard fight. For the first time in a while, my tears are of happiness and hope. My mortgage will be paid and there will be food on the table for my family. Your help is so greatly appreciated. “
Kenneth Jarrett in San Antonio, TX is going through cancer treatments while still trying to make sure his family is taken care of. Kenneth is a high trained tactical EMT and we were able to help pay for his COBRA insurance.
Code Green Collaboration (Southern California)
We had a collaboration with the Code Green Campaign to support two firefighters from southern California. Code Green helps first responders dealing with mental health and other long-term needs. We wish these first responders the best as they recover.
Bedford Township Fire Department (Cisne, IL)
Don Pruett was a volunteer firefighter and did medical helicopter evac flights for his department. Don was killed in a plane crash at his day job. We donated to his family to help provide for his ten year old daughter in the future.
Kirkland Fire Department (Kirkland,WA)
Battalion Chief Hoover and his wife were killed in a car accident leaving behind five children. Our funds will cover whatever they need help with in the immediate future.
US Army Military Police
Former Military Police Officer Devyn Trampe (of St. Jacob,IL) was hit by a driver fleeing the police in November 2022. Injuries sustained in the crash left him in needing around the clock care for ten months and he unfortunately passed away September 29, 2023. We have been offering his family monthly support in paying bills every month for them. Our hearts go out to the Trampe family as they grieve losing Devyn.