A night of fundraising, dinner and dancing 
awaits North Texas firefighters and their 
families during the 3rd Annual Firefighters 
Ball on Aug. 27 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. Emcees are Justin Holland, 
Republican nominee for Texas House 
District 33, and Rockwall County Judge 
David Sweet.

Proceeds of the 2016 Firefighters Ball will 
benefit the McKitrick family and their 
three-year-old son Aiden, who suffered 
traumatic injuries when he fell from a 
boat on Lake Ray Hubbard on May 5.

For Kelly McKitrick and her husband, 
Lewisville firefighter Austin McKitrick, 
the support provided by Emily Colbert 
–founder and president of The Colbert
Project – and others with the nonprofit
organization has been a tremendous
blessing.

“It’s so unreal to me that Austin and I have 
been to the Firefighters Ball the past two 
years and have made it our yearly tradition 
to be our one special night out together,” 
Kelly said. “And this year we will be there 

for the 3rd year, but for Aiden. Tears are 
just pouring as I look at that ticket. You 
have a heart of gold Emily, and what you, 
your husband, your family and friends, and 
The Colbert Project do for so many others 
around you is unbelievable. Thank you!”

Since 2013, the Firefighters Ball has 
benefited three 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. For the 
Firefighters Ball 2014, The Colbert Project 
selected Dallas firefighter Jeff Patterson, 
who was badly burned while on duty, to 
receive funds raised by the organization. In 
2015, the proceeds assisted another Dallas 
firefighter, Tracy Beard, who is battling 
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

“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.”

This year’s Ball looks to be a major 
success; as of early June, only a handful 
of tickets remain available for the event. 
The Colbert Project is currently seeking 
sponsorships and donations. For more 
information, visit thecolbertproject.org.

By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News editor. 

GOOD CAUSE

8

Summer Edition 2016

BlueRibbonNews.com

BENEFICIARY NAMED FOR

FIREFIGHTERS BALL 2016

 

Three-year-old Aiden McKitrick suffered 

severe abdominal lacerations and amputation 

of his leg as the result of a tragic boating 

accident. (Facebook photos)