Gifting to Lt Ken Larsen

We had the immense pleasure of presenting a Gifting to Lt Ken Larsen of the Huntley Fire Protection District and City of Lake Geneva Fire Department and his lovely wife Karen at a warm and rollicking fundraiser held on their behalf.


Special thanks to the Huntley FPD and Lake Geneva FDs for welcoming us to the event.


The two FDs coming together for one of their own was a testament to their commitment to For Love of Family and Brotherhood.

We had the privilege of presenting a Supplemental Gifting to FF/PM Dawn Trizna of the Batavia Fire Department. The crew on shift warmly welcomed us to their station and joined in showing its support to Dawn and her family.

A Supplemental Gifting is when we step up and provide additional support to a previous Recipient when needed, honoring our commitment to For Love of Family and Brotherhood.

We are so happy to have our brothers and sisters at Oswego Firefighters Local 4773 become fire service group members!

With their membership, they not only aid in helping other firefighters with cancer but they add cancer benefits to their members on behalf of S23F!

Learn more about how your department can become members at www.shield23foundation.org/memberships

We had the pleasure of presenting a gifting to FF/EMT Bob Arens of Chicago Fire Department Firefighters Union – Local 2 Truck 9.

We were graciously hosted and fed at engine 11 quarters.

Best wishes to Bob on his upcoming retirement and offer strength and encouragement in his battle with cancer. You are not only part of the Chicago Fire Department family but now a part of the Shield 23 Family as well.

For the Love of Family and Brotherhood

Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois

We had the pleasure of gifting to FF/Paramedic Patrick Watson of the Oswego Fire Department and Oswego Firefighters Local 4773.

We took the opportunity to get to know his lovely wife Rhonda and two little girls!

Best wishes to Pat on his goal of returning to the job soon.

You are not only part of the Oswego Fire Department family but also now part of the Shield 23 Foundation family as well.

For the Love of Family and Brotherhood

Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois

Our 1st VP Ryan had the privilege of traveling to the state of New York to make Gifting presentations to two volunteer firefighters with the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department. Lts Reuben Kupferstein and Jonathan Indig are both battling cancer and at different stages of the battle but are also embraced by their fire service family. We present our Giftings with support and encouragement and welcome both Reuben and Jonathan, their families and their LCFD family into our S23F family.

Special shout out to the true meaning of “For Love of Family & Brotherhood“: when Ryan’s return flight was cancelled… Gift Recipient FF Reuben and his lovely wife Nina graciously took Ryan in for 2 nights, gave tips to the first-time-ever-in-NYC and unexpected tourist about visiting NYC (incl the 9/11 Memorial) and got him to the airport! S23F was there to offer a helping hand… and in true fire service family fashion a helping hand was offered in return!!

Join us for our first annual Fight Smoke, Fire, and Cancer Golf Outing Friday, August, 4th at Chalet Hills Golf Club.


Get your foursome signed up at

www.shield23foundation.org/fundraiser

Another successful softball tournament is in the books! Thanks to everyone that came out and played, as well as those there to support! It was an awesome day from start to finish. A long, hard-fought day for Aurora Firefighters Local 99 and Joliet Firefighters Local 44 led them to meet in the championship game, with Joliet taking home the title this year! Proceeds will go to Shield 23 Foundation Inc and Budda’s Brotherhood Foundation! Look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois

Friends of Oswego Fire Dept

Oswego Fire Protection District

Plainfield Local 4560

Lockport Township Firefighters IAFF Local #1544

Bedford Park Firefighters Local 3571

Huntley Fire Fighters Union IAFF Local 4106

Cicero Firefighters Union Local 717

Romeoville Professional Firefighters Local 4237

DeKalb Fire Fighters Local 1236

It was our honor to present two giftings to firefighters with cancer on Sunday!

It was our privilege to present the first Gifting on Sunday to the amazing FF/PM Dawn Trizna and her family (including the 4-footed members.) The Batavia Fire Department provided a gracious welcome. We send warmest wishes of strength and encouragement in your battle against cancer.

For Love of Family and Brother(Sister)hood