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)