Volunteer Ann Henzgen has known the charity’s former President Bob Steinbacher for years because her brother played softball with him. Her brother is a fire captain for the LAFD’s Urban Search and Rescue and has firefighter friends. It made sense for Ann to get involved with the firefighting community. She reached out to Bob who introduced her to the volunteer Boot Brigade program for the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund.
A Firefighter Family
It has been two years that Ann has been volunteering for the non-profit and attending every event. Ann found out she’s not the only volunteer who has family involved with the firefighter profession, meeting other new friends such as Toni Hunt whose brother is a retired firefighter and surviving spouse Valerie Lawrence, who is the coordinator for the charity’s Family Support Group. Outside of the charity work she does for our L.A. firefighters, she also volunteers her time for other causes like being a Wish Granter for Make A Wish Foundation and dedicating time as a coach and mentor for the Veteran’s Career XChange. As a human resources director at Hydra-Electric Company, her career experience is ideal for assisting veterans with getting back in the job market.
One of the best outcomes of Ann’s volunteering is seeing the impact of the donations. The charity provides resources for families of fallen firefighters. Whether it’s small or big things, the organization has provided a child’s school supplies, helped with rent, and brightened up a family’s holiday celebration. At the Open House, Ann met recipients of the donations and spoke with a lady who lost her father in the line of duty.
“That’s why it’s important,” she says, “I met a child of a fallen firefighter. It was nice to see where my efforts and the fundraisers are going to.”
Learn more about opportunities to support our firefighter charity
By Katherine Abando
