I’ve always seen first responders as unsung heroes and very special people because, when everyone else is running away from danger, they run into it.
– Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) –
My eight siblings and I grew up on a small walnut orchard in California, which along with our parents, we cared for the orchard for 40 years. The orchard was literally our backyard playground. We cared for numerous trees and we designated certain trees as first base, second, third, and of course home. We also had a few trees that were perfectly situated as football end zones while others made for some of the best tree forts in the neighborhood.
My time on the family orchard immensely developed my appreciation for the land, hard work, patience.
Now let me share how this related to the rich joy experienced by local law enforcement and first responders.
My first experience was when I was a teenager and signed up and went on a ride-along with a local police officer. I was able to see firsthand the professionalism and kindness he freely gave to all the calls we went on. Later on in life I saw firsthand the impact and damage that can be inflicted on a family of a first responder who experiences PTSD or death. When I was old enough I attended college for criminal justice and signed up for the police academy. Sadly, life does not always go as planned and I ended up in information technology. However, I never forgot the spirit in these experiences I was part of.
During my tenure as a youth program football coach many of the parents were first responders of police, fire, and sheriff, and EMS. It was fun watching them tease each other as well as the camaraderie and respect they had for each other. It was a great feeling to interact with them and hear what they go through day in and day out and how humbling it was. I will never forget during one justice class someone saying that being a police officer is the only job where you go to work every day knowing someone wants to harm or kill you.
I have grown up with family friends who became police officers, firemen, EMTs, sheriff’s deputies, border patrol agents, etc.
Years later before we moved from CA to TN, I knew I wanted to move to a city where I could join a volunteer fire department to be part of this incredible family full or dedication, loyalty, respect, duty, and honor.
Fast forwarding a couple of years, I received a call from one of my best friends and asked me if I would be interested in promoting 100 Clubs across the country. Since it was not in the cards for me to be a first responded, I jumped at the opportunity as it seemed an amazing opportunity.
He explained the benefits of what a 100 Club does and I was so impressed with what I learned that I immersed myself into searching for and learning about anything and everything about local 100 Clubs.
I wanted to understand the history of 100 Clubs. I was both excited about what I was learning and disappointed that I was unable to find a central location or resource that taught about what a 100 Club does, the benefits for the families of fallen heroes, and where businesses can donate or where families can find resources they need. In a nutshell, I wanted to utilize my skills in technology to create a website to ultimately educate, bring awareness, and most importantly provide and channel support to those families of fallen first responder heroes.
Thus, About 100 Clubs was born!
This video inspired me and hope it does for you!
Five Finger Death Punch – Blue On Black
(feat. Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Brantley Gilbert & Brian May)