KOHALA COAST — Tickets are now on sale for the 21th annual Daniel R. Sayre Memorial awards dinner and fundraiser at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii Sept. 1.
Proceeds from the dinner and fundraiser will be used to purchase needed equipment and training for the County of Hawaii Fire &Rescue Department that’s not available from the county budget.
With the volcano disaster and recent wildfires this year, the Fire Department’s budget has really been depleted, according to Laura Sayre, who started The Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation 21 years ago after she and her husband, Frank, lost their son in a hiking accident.
“Our first responders need our help more than ever for the purchase of needed equipment and training,” she said.
Over the years, this event has raised more than $3 million to support Hawaii Island’s fire/rescue and emergency response teams including the ocean safety division.
This year, the Foundation will honor Hawaii County Fire Department’s Chopper 1 Pilot Jesse Hudson, Chopper 2 Pilot Kalei Gregory, Wailuku River rescue teams, WSO 2 Liana Carson and WSO 1 Brock Miller as recommended from within the department for their meritorious service above and beyond the call of duty.
There will also be a special recognition for Paradise Helicopters’ Pilot Ryan Moeller and Cal and Stacey Dorn. Hearing the stories surrounding the honorees will be a highlight of the evening.
The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. with a silent auction kickoff. The gala evening will also include dinner, a live auction and dancing to the live music of Vizion 20/20.
Community members can support the effort by attending, making donations on the website or through the mail and by donating silent auction items. The mailing address for the Foundation is P.O. Box 1285 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745.
Event tickets are $114 for adults or $58 per child up to the age of 12, including a gourmet buffet dinner. Patrons can also sponsor a dinner for a firefighter and/or spouse at a cost of $100 per person.
To register for the fundraising event: Go to DanielSayre Foundation.net.