Latest news with #GrahamHoffman
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local T-shirt company raises more than $380,000 for family of fallen Kansas City firefighter
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A fundraiser for Kansas City firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman, who was killed in the line of duty, has raised more than $380,000. Joe and Dawn Eddings of – a firefighter-owned shop in Kansas City, Missouri, specializing in USA-made shirts, polos, jackets and other clothing – released a new and to raise funds for his family. Within 24 hours, the company raised more than $85,000. Kansas City T-shirt company raises over $85K for family of fallen KCFD firefighter-medic Now, the online store is closed – having raised a total of $381,500. Every dollar will be donated directly to his family. 'What began as a Kansas City Metro initiative quickly grew far beyond what we could have imagined—reaching all 50 states, 14 countries and numerous U.S. military bases,' the Eddings' said in a news release. Production is now set to begin. Starting Monday, the store said it began ordering and printing more than 36,000 items – folding each one by hand and preparing to ship to more than 32,000 addresses. 'This is no small task, but one we are honored to take on,' the Eddings' said. 'As a small, family-owned business with just 16 employees, we're grateful to the friends, family members and local departments who've offered to volunteer their time to help us with folding and packaging.' The Eddings' are asking for patience as they work to ship the tens of thousands of orders. They said the original May 19 ship date was based on an estimated few thousand local orders—a total that was greatly surpassed. KC firefighter's death highlights rise in violence against health care workers nationwide 'We never dreamed the response would be this monumental,' they said. 'While we wish we could ship as fast as Amazon, that simply isn't our reality. But what we offer is heart, dedication and the promise that your order will be filled with care.' They said some people have reported the fundraiser as fraudulent, resulting in chargebacks and canceled orders. 'We want to reassure you that this effort is very real, and we are fully committed to fulfilling every single order,' the Eddings' said. According to the couple, they will be posting updates and behind-the-scenes photos on their Facebook at @e2embroidery. 'From our small first responder family-owned business to you—thank you for your support, your trust, and your patience,' they said. 'This has been nothing short of a miracle, and we are honored to be part of it with you.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sidewalk Talk in downtown Kansas City brings attention to mental health
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In your life, do you feel heard? That's the question a nonprofit spent Monday afternoon asking people in downtown Kansas City. The group called Sidewalk Talk launched in San Francisco 10 years ago. The event on Monday aimed to bring attention to mental health. Kansas City Royals honor fallen firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Kansas City was the first stop on the nonprofit's tour. Organizers set out some chairs and had trained listeners hear people talk about whatever they want. The impact of it all can't be put into words. Therapist Traci Ruble has spent the last 10 years making mental health awareness a community project. 'I truly believe that we are responsible for one another's mental health by how we show up,' Ruble said. So she founded Sidewalk Talk and created an army of trained listeners around the country to help people feel not alone in their personal battles. 'That's the miracle of this listening project, is that once someone has been listened to they come up with the solutions for their life its really amazing,' she added. Ruble said the nonprofit that was born in San Francisco is now touring the entire country. All it takes, a couple of lawn chairs, some friendly faces, and just like that, people who are strangers to one another show up and talk. 'They want to see somebody they can trust or they can talk to and listen and care,' Ahmad Alirani said. Alirani said he pulled up a seat and had a conversation. 'It's too many people around here who don't have anyone to talk to,' he added. That's what Ruble hopes to change. Something everyone can be a part of. She said they're not a mental health crisis intervention team, they're listeners. —You Matter: Find mental health resources and stories on you are thinking of hurting or killing yourself: Call or text 988 or chat at . Please get help immediately. If you want to support this project, Ruble said you take a . You can donate as much money as you want to take it. Their next stop is St. Louis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas City businesses donate to Graham Hoffman Scholarship Fund
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Participating businesses donated 10% of all sales Saturday to the scholarship fund in honor of fallen KCFD firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman. Jason Pryor, the owner of Pizza 51, says the decision to join the donation campaign was easy. 'It's always nice to know that when you have an option to go out to dine, that your money is going to a cause that you feel is important,' Pryor said. KCFD firefighter Graham Hoffman was killed in the line of duty on April 27. Days after his tragic death, Hero Fund USA established a scholarship fund honoring his life and legacy. Donations will help fund annual scholarships for people pursuing accredited Firefighter or Paramedic training programs. Pettis Co. Sheriff shows gratitude to community after deputies are shot 'We were very happy to partner with the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association for this kind of a cause. We are proud to be a part of something that can carry forward Graham's name and give other young adults the opportunity to pursue this career,' Pryor explained. The cause is close to Pryor's heart. 'We have a lot of close relationships with those who are already in the fire department, and with my son, who is also training to be one (a firefighter) as well. It just kind of hits home in that sense,' Jason said. His son Josh understands the importance of showing support for fire service members. 'Most of the firemen and firewomen that I've been around they are very humble and when stuff like this happens and they lose a brother, a family member in a lot of ways, it's important that they feel seen and I feel like this is a little part of that,' Josh Pryor said. Employees at Pizza 51 wore KCFD gear to work Saturday to show their support. Brookside Art Annual returns for 39th year in Kansas City Pryor says customers were happy to know that some of the money they spent dining would be donated. 'Whether they came here for that reason or they did not. They were happy to be a part of supporting this, and we're happy to be offering that opportunity to support as well,' Jason said. If you didn't make it out to eat at one of the participating restaurants on Saturday and would like to donate to the Graham Hoffman scholarship fund, you can still do so here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kansas City, Kansas firefighter recovering after fainting at first responder's funeral
A Kansas City, Kansas firefighter is on the mend after briefly collapsing at the funeral of murdered firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman on Friday afternoon. The KCKFD employee, who has not been publicly named, lost consciousness and fell near the end of a processional ceremony in Hoffman's honor. Scott Schaunaman, a KCKFD spokesperson, said that the firefighter experienced a syncopal episode. Syncope, commonly known as fainting, happens when blood pressure or heart rate temporarily drops, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This can be caused by a variety of factors and results in a temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain. As several funeral attendees attempted to provide aid, the employee came to and could be seen sitting up and moving independently by the time he was brought into an arriving ambulance. The firefighter was in stable condition at a local hospital as of Friday evening and responding well to various tests, according to Schaunaman. Graham Hoffman, 29, was killed in the line of duty on April 27 when an ambulance patient fatally stabbed him as Hoffman attempted to treat her. His funeral took place at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty on Frida and drew a vast crowd of mourners, including community members and first responders. American flags were flown at half-mast in Hoffman's honor on Friday at firehouses statewide, as well as at Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte County government buildings and Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri in Kingdom City. PJ Green contributed reporting.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Kansas City honors firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman at funeral
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Funeral services are being held Friday for fallen Kansas City firefighter and paramedic Graham Hoffman, who was . Hoffman's funeral will be held at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. A public visitation will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the funeral service and a procession. Hoffman will be cremated, so there will not be a graveside service, according to KCFD. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Hoffman's procession begins Friday at 3 p.m. Here is the route the Kansas City Fire Department released: The procession route will include passing by Station 42, Hoffman's last assignment. The 29-year-old was killed on Sunday, April 27, after police say he was stabbed by a patient inside an ambulance. He was set to turn 30 next week. The patient was identified as Shanetta Bossell, who has been charged in Clay County with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, assault, resisting arrest and is being held on a $1 million bond, according to court records. Hoffman began his career with the . Prior to serving with KCFD, he started his firefighting career with . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
