First Responders Children's Foundation

Our Scholarship Spotlight is Evan Marshall, a 2025 FRCF & CSX Pride In Service Scholar from Newton, Iowa. Evan is a freshman at the University of Northern Iowa studying Finance. He is the son of a 911 dispatcher with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, who recently celebrated 31 years of service. We’re proud to support students like Evan through our scholarship program, honoring families who serve our communities every day.

Across the country, CSX employees are making a difference—not just during #NationalVolunteerWeek, but all year long. Through #CSXPrideInService, they dedicate their time and energy to supporting first responder and military families in meaningful, hands-on ways. We are proud to stand alongside partners like Operation Homefront, Blue Star Families, and Wounded Warrior Project as we work together to uplift and strengthen the communities that serve our nation. Thank you to CSX for your continued partnership and the lasting impact you create.

We had a great opportunity to connect with first responder agencies in Montgomery County, MD alongside our partner SERVPRO Team Gutierrez, sharing more about our programs and the work we’re doing to support those who serve our communities every day. Thank you to SERVPRO Team Gutierrez for supporting local first responder families, and to Rockville City Police Department, Maryland National Park Police, Montgomery County Department of Police, Montgomery County CERT, and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service for coming out! We appreciate your time, your service, and the chance to collaborate!

FRCF had the opportunity to attend the 2026 DC Fire and EMS Department Annual Awards Ceremony and Dinner, hosted by the DC Fire & EMS Foundation. We’re grateful to Seth Wharton of SERVPRO® Team Olson and SERVPRO of Washington, DC for the invitation and for supporting such an important evening. It was an incredible night recognizing the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of the firefighters and EMS professionals who protect our nation’s capital every day. We’re honored to stand with those who run toward danger with unwavering valor.

We had an incredible time at Tomorrow.City USA 2026. A heartfelt thanks to Aarti Tandon for bringing us to West Palm Beach and connecting us with the visionaries shaping the future of AI and business. A special shout-out to our very own Chief National Public Safety Liaison, Chad Sourbeer, for his insightful contributions to two panels on the future of first response and urban safety. Our Chief Philanthropy Officer, Randy Acosta, also had the opportunity to connect with Stephen M. Ross Owner of the Miami Dolphins & CEO / Chairman, of Related Ross. Together, we’re ensuring that as cities innovate, the safety of our communities remains the top priority.

We’re officially ONE MONTH away from our 25th Anniversary Gala Together, we will honor 9/11, reflect on all we’ve accomplished side by side, and look ahead as we continue securing the legacy of hero families. We can’t wait to share this meaningful night with you. Purchase tickets or become a sponsor and help carry this mission forward: 1stRCF.org/25YearsGala

This past Sunday, connections came full circle. Christina Rehkop Memorial Scholar Richard Treece, alongside his mom and sister, were hosted by Devon Energy & the Oklahoma City Thunder for a court-side tickets with Brandon Rehkop—Christina’s husband—and family. Devon Energy's Kent Chrisman and Marla Freeman were in attendance, representing the community that continues to carry this legacy forward. Christina was a dedicated Board Member of the First Responders Foundation and, as Director of Community Relations for Devon Energy, spent 18 years serving communities across the Oklahoma area and beyond. It was a powerful moment bringing together the team behind the scholarship and the life it continues to impact.

We are proud to welcome Battalion Chief Chad Sourbeer as our new Chief National Public Safety Liaison. A decorated leader with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Chief Sourbeer brings decades of frontline experience and a deep commitment to the first responder community. In this role, he will help strengthen our relationships nationwide and further our mission to support the children and families of those who serve. Please join us in welcoming Chad to the First Responders Children’s Foundation. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eTsU4z_g

Patricia Smith carries a legacy shaped by extraordinary courage—and she continues to carry it forward through her own life of service. The daughter of New York City Police Department Police Department Officer Moira Smith, who gave her life on 9/11—the only female NYPD officer lost when the towers fell—Patricia has transformed profound personal loss into purpose. Helping others is in her DNA. Through her voice, her advocacy, and her commitment to never forget, she honors her mother’s legacy while building one of her own. Her story represents the quiet strength of the families behind the badge—those who carry the weight of service, sacrifice, and resilience every day. In recognition of her own strength, service, and the legacy she carries forward, we are honored to present Patricia Smith with the Legacy of Courage Award at our 25th Anniversary Gala. Come Celebrate, Tickets Available Now: 1stRCF.org/25YearsGala

CSX has been a steadfast partner of the First Responders Children’s Foundation since 2018. Their commitment reflects a deep and ongoing dedication to the families of our nation’s heroes—creating meaningful, lasting impact across the communities we serve. In recognition of their unwavering support, we are proud to present CSX with the Enduring Impact Award at our 25th Anniversary Gala. And we are honored to host our gala guests on a historic ride aboard the CSX Business Train. Come Celebrate, Tickets Available Now: 1stRCF.org/25YearsGala