Latest news with #HeroFundUSA
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Graham Hoffman memorial ride raises $65,000 for scholarship fund
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hundreds of motorcyclists took to the streets of Kansas City on Saturday, and the event raised a whopping $65,000 for the Graham Hoffman Memorial Scholarship. On July 12, Outlaw Harley Davidson and Worth Harley Davidson hosted the inaugural Hoffman Memorial Ride—honoring the life, legacy and sacrifice of KCFD firefighter/paramedic Graham Hoffman who lost his life in the line-of-duty on April 27. Hundreds of bikers ride in memory of Graham Hoffman Saturday Dylan Worth and Carson Orlando of the dealerships, with the assistance of the staff and volunteers of HeroFundUSA, coordinated the event – with 400 motorcycles and 550 riders participating in the charity ride. Officers from several metro police departments escorted the ride from Outlaw Harley Davidson in Blue Springs past Hoffman's home station – KCFD Station 42 – all the way to Worth Harley Davidson in the Northland. HeroFundUSA said the event raised $65,000 that will go toward its Graham Hoffman Memorial Scholarship Fund. According to HeroFundUSA, plans are already underway for the second annual Hoffman Memorial Ride in firefighter's death highlights rise in violence against health care workers nationwide Lawmakers introduce 'Graham Hoffman Act' for crimes against first responders Kansas City honors firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman at funeral Questions mount after KCFD firefighter stabbed, killed inside ambulance Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Yahoo
Hundreds of bikers ride in memory of Graham Hoffman Saturday
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hundreds of motorcyclists took to the streets of Kansas City on Saturday morning to honor Graham Hoffman, a Kansas City firefighter paramedic who was killed in late April. The ride started at Outlaw Harley-Davidson in Blue Springs and ended at Worth Harley-Davidson in the Northland. Liberty 9-year-old battling cancer competes for national title Organizers didn't expect to see as many riders as they did, and around 400 motorcycles took to the streets to honor Hoffman. 'When you hear 400 Harley-Davidsons, many with very open exhaust systems on them, it rumbles right in your chest and gets you right here,' said Darrell Smith, pointing to his heart. He's the co-founder and CEO of HeroFundUSA, a private funding source for safety gear for first responders. 'But it also gets you right here because you know why they're here.' Hoffman was injured while responding to a 'routine medical call' according to Kansas City Police. The patient turned on Hoffman and his partner, stabbing Hoffman in the chest. He would die from his injuries. The motorcycle ride was an emotional moment for many of the riders. 'I had goosebumps for pretty much an hour,' said Ame Eikel. 'It was pretty moving,' said biker Mary Beth Biland. 'For every bridge we went under, having the fire engines with everyone waving, it was emotional in several points along the ride.' Not only did organizers plan the ride to honor Hoffman, they also started a scholarship in his name. Some of the proceeds from the ride will go towards the fund. 'So that every year we can honor Graham by awarding paramedic scholarship funds to young people that want to enter a field as a paramedic or a firefighter paramedic,' said Smith. 'They will never know Graham Hoffman, but they're going to know who he was and they're going to be able to go to school in his name.' Driver suffers critical injuries in I-29 crash Saturday evening: KCPD For some bikers, it means just a little more. Dave Arnold is a retired firefighter and says that when things like this happen, honoring the ones who have been lost is just what you do. 'It's a big brotherhood in the fire service,' he said. 'You may have never met the man or woman in uniform but, you know, they've gone through what you've gone through. In this situation, when someone is lost, it just has to be done.' Arnold said that he wishes Hoffman could see the impact that he leaves behind through the scholarship. ' .It's a shame that he didn't get the opportunity to see what he's going to do for somebody,' Arnold said. 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.
