As firefighters, we are trained to respond in moments of crisis—but time and again, after the flames are out and the scene is cleared, we’re left with a deep feeling that more could be done. That moment came into sharp focus during the holiday season of 2022, when a family lost everything in a devastating fire. Moved by their loss, we passed a hat around at our Union meeting and raised over $1,000 to help them begin to rebuild. That simple act of compassion sparked something greater. We realized we needed a way to support families not just once, but continually—whenever and wherever the need arises. From that resolve, Patterson Gives Back was born. With determination and community support, we secured our 501(c)(3) status and began our mission to serve beyond the fire line. Thanks to the generous donations from our community, we’ve been able to support multiple families in times of hardship. This nonprofit gives us the ability to turn that lingering sense of helplessness into meaningful action—and make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.
Origin Story
