SF Giants Score Big for the CA Fire Foundation

CPF President and California Fire Foundation Chair Lou Paulson addresses the crowd at AT&T Park.

Over 2,000 firefighters packed AT&T Park in San Francisco for the San Francisco Giants' Firefighter Appreciation Night.

And the Giants did not disappoint.

Firefighters were honored with a pregame tailgate party. A fire boat show in McCovey Cove was accompanied by the National Anthem and the game opened with the beautiful sounds of the Pipes & Drums of California Professional Firefighters.

Standing on home plate, in front of thousands of Giants fans, Lou Paulson, President of California Professional Firefighters and Chair of the California Fire Foundation, addressed the crowd.

"We must never forget all our brother and sister firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty. As a profession, we are committed to honoring the memories of our fallen, and taking care of the loved ones they leave behind. That is what the California Fire Foundation is here for," said Paulson.

Proceeds from last night's ticket sales will benefit the newly formed California Firefighters Endowment, which is a program of the California Fire Foundation and operates under the mission to ensure that every child of a fallen firefighter has the opportunity to attend the college of his or her choosing.

"It was a beautiful tribute to the men and women who put their lives on the line for us every day when the alarm sounds," said Vanessa Errecarte, Director of the California Fire Foundation.

The Pipes & Drums of the California Professional Firefighters opened the game.

President Paulson noted that the Giants gave them an opportunity to get the word out about the Foundation's programs and mission.

"Many families stand to benefit from last night's tribute. We are grateful for this partnership with the Giants," said Paulson.

And indeed, it is a partnership. The Foundation is already working with the San Francisco Giants to plan next year's Firefighter Appreciation Night and has formed a long-term partnership with the Giants.

"We're really looking forward to this," said Cameron Lochte, Special Events Manager at the Giants. "This is going to be a good thing."

Several thousand dollars were raised last night, making the event successful in many ways.

"I really would like to thank all of our members who came out and supported the cause last night," stated Paulson. "And in true firefighter fashion, we went big with fourteen innings ... not bad."

The California Fire Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, (tax ID: 680118991) operated by California Professional Firefighters, and headquartered in Sacramento, California.

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