Firefighters Ball in Rockwall to Benefit Firefighter Diagnosed with Advanced Cancer

Firefighters Ball in Rockwall to Benefit Firefighter Diagnosed with Advanced Cancer

(ROCKWALL, TX – Oct. 1, 2019) An epic night of fundraising, dinner and dancing awaits North Texas firefighters and their families during the sold out 6th Annual Firefighters Ball on Oct. 12 at the Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront. Hosted by local nonprofit The Colbert Project, the black tie event will bring together local fire communities for cocktails, live and silent auctions and casino games, a cigar bar, wine pull, and photo booth.

The recipient of this year’s Firefighters Ball is Dan Kendall. Having served as a professional firefighter for 11 years with Duncanville Fire Department, Kendall was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Colon Cancer affecting his liver and bloodstream. Despite the diagnosis, Kendall has continued to live life to the fullest. He reports to his scheduled shifts at the station, shows houses to clients and attends closings for his side business Firehouse Real Estate, works out, encourages others, and continues to be an amazing father to his son Asher and husband to wife Jessica.

In her 2019 Firefighters Ball Recipient Announcement letter, Emily Colbert said she was in awe at the number of recipient applications that were submitted for this year’s event.

“This year, the application process absolutely left me speechless. The number of applications that were being submitted on behalf of the family was a huge testament, to me personally, of the impact they have had on others, their community and their friends,” Colbert wrote.

Colbert said the proceeds for this year’s event will not only benefit the Kendall family, but will also go towards assisting firefighters in the DFW area who have been diagnosed with advanced cancers.

Since 2013, the Firefighters Ball has benefited numerous firefighters and their families, including the Colbert family. On Dec. 17, 2012, Emily Colbert’s husband Devon – a Garland Fire Department firefighter and volunteer firefighter for the Rockwall Fire Department –  and their then-two-year-old son were involved in a motor vehicle accident in the family’s hometown of Rockwall. Their son was unharmed, but Devon suffered a life-altering neck injury which left him paralyzed.

After learning of Devon’s injury, the Garland and Rockwall fire departments began planning an epic fundraising event – the Firefighters Ball – to show support for one of their own and help the Colbert family with Devon’s medical and rehabilitation expenses. The successful event afforded countless hours of rehab for Devon, along with needed equipment and transportation.

With overwhelming feelings of gratitude for the businesses, organizations, and their Garland and Rockwall fire families who helped make the first Firefighters Ball such a success, the Colberts decided to pay that kindness forward by creating The Colbert Project – a 501(c)3 non-profit organization focusing on giving back to those who have selflessly given to the communities in which they serve.

Each year, The Colbert Project provides financial assistance and support to other fire families facing financial strife brought on by illness or off duty injury with its Firefighters Ball fundraiser.

“It is because of the community in which we serve and local businesses that continue to donate items we are able to continue in our efforts to raise funds for firefighter families,” Emily said. “As long as the need presents itself we as a foundation will continue with our mission.”

For more information, visit thecolbertproject.org.

By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News. Courtesy photos. 

Our monthly print edition is delivered free to ~22,000 homes in Rockwall and Heath, TX.

To share your good news and events, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.

Subscribe to our email newsletter here.

Advertising: 214-342-8000 or advertising@BlueRibbonNews.com.