LOS ANGELES - The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor paid a special visit to the Los Angeles Civic Center on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 to thank the Los Angeles Fire Department for supporting their organization throughout the 2011 holiday season.

Extending appreciation to members of the LAFD for their support, the Club's Interim Executive Director Tony Tripp and Special Events Marketing Director Deanna Deering were joined by Director of Development Derald Sidler in thanking firefighters on behalf of the Club's Board of Directors and the 8,000 youth the club serves annually.

A highlight of the accolade-filled meeting was the formal presentation to Los Angeles Fire Chief Brian Cummings of a hand made card created and signed by the children of the Boys & Girls Club.

Chief Cummings as well as LAFD Chief of Staff, Assistant Fire Chief John Vidovich, were lauded for volunteering to serve 400 Thanksgiving meals at the Dana Strand Boys & Girls Club in November, with Chief Vidovich personally securing funds to purchase the 30 turkeys that were served that night.

Additionally, Los Angeles Firefighter Michael Marquez was feted for his instrumental role in obtaining toys as holiday gifts for 1500+ club members. According to Mr. Tripp "This year was especially thin when it came to toy donations", adding "If it wasn't for the Los Angeles Fire Department coming through for us year-after-year we would not have enough toys to distribute to the youth of our community."

To a room of applause, Mr. Tripp summed it up by saying "The Los Angeles Fire Department is a great friend to our organization and we are very grateful to have their support."


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department