Brownsburg H.S. Class of 2016 graduate Dylan Johnston was presented with a check for $5,000 towards his college education in a ceremony held at Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) Fire Station 29 in Indianapolis on June 21. Johnston’s father, Station 29 Firefighter Joel Johnston was a 16-year veteran of the IFD when he lost his battle fighting cancer in 2015. The funds were raised at the first annual Fire Ball, a benefit event sponsored by nonprofit Fire Family Foundation, the charitable hand of Firefighters First Credit Union, in partnership with Lucas Oil.
Johnston, who will attend Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the fall, was joined at the ceremony by his family including his mother Loran Johnston, as well as his father’s fellow firefighters, and representatives from Fire Family Foundation and Lucas Oil. He is the first recipient of Fire Ball funds earmarked to help financially support Indiana firefighters fighting cancer and their families. The initiative supports the event’s focus on increasing awareness of the hazards firefighters face each day and the dreadful impacts of cancer.
“We are honored to present this check to Dylan as he begins his collegiate career,” said Brian Smith, business director, Lucas Oil, along with Annette Smith, event co-organizer. “Our Indianapolis fire family will make sure that this young man has the opportunities he deserves. We began this program at Lucas Oil to help one family but we are committed to continuing to help our firefighters and their families towards a better future.”
More than 250 patrons attended Fire Ball, which grossed $55,000 and netted $37,000 in charitable funds. The evening of dinner and entertainment took place April 14 at the Lucas Estate and was headlined by national recording artist Corey Cox (Markel Music Group) with special guests including retired Fire Chief /Editor-In-Chief Fire Engineering Bobby Halton, IFD Firefighter/PIO BC Rita Reith, and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, amongst others.
Fire Ball sponsors included: Best Day Ever Foundation, Harding Group, Heckman Consulting Group, Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Colts, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Jiffy Lube, JTM Food Group, Keller Williams Realtors, Lucas Oil Products, Old Town Tavern, Richard Childress Racing, Sam Schmidt Racing, and Simon Lease Services.
About Fire Family Foundation: As the charitable hand of Firefighters First Credit Union, Fire Family Foundation responds when tragedy strikes, offering compassion and financial assistance to firefighters and fire survivors in need. The Foundation believes those in need can experience comfort, healing, and support from their “Fire Family.”
More information visit https://firefamilyfoundation.org About Lucas Oil http://lucasoil.com/about
