Nonprofit will honor first responders and raise funds at 9/11 banquet 

IDAHO FALLS — An arena coming up will grant nan hundreds of first responders who paid nan eventual sacrifice. It will additionally thief support first responders successful nan community. 

Heroes Defense, a section nonprofit organization, will clasp its “10th Annual 9/11 Tribute Banquet.”

It’s connected Saturday, Sept. 7, astatine nan Blue Cross of Idaho Conference Center wrong the Mountain America Center successful Idaho Falls. Doors unfastened astatine 5 p.m. East Idaho News’ Nate Eaton will emcee nan banquet. 

It will see a general dinner, auctions, and impermanent speakers from New York City who were first responders during nan 9/11 attacks. 

“Getting a chance to perceive firsthand from them astir what 9/11 was and astir really it changed our world, is thing that you don’t get to perceive very often. That is what makes this arena very unique,” said Travis Snowder, co-founder of Heroes Defense. 

Part of past year’s banquet. | Andrea Olson, EastIdahoNews.com

The nonprofit has a “sole intent to supply support, resources, and assistance to those individuals fighting for our freedoms and nan American measurement of life.” 

Last year’s banquet raised astir $328,000. This year, Snowder hopes to raise $500,000. 

“It’s really not your mean fundraiser,” said Jesse Ferney, Director for Heroes Defense. 

There are vacations, chopper rides and civilization creation pieces. Ferney told EastIdahoNews.com that an creator is bringing a civilization American Flag made retired of firehose utilized by nan New York City Fire Department.

Heroes Defense has utilized nan costs raised to supply training, organization outreach, equipment, and resources. They’ve besides donated AEDs and Jaws of Life to occurrence departments. Click here for much information. 

The nonprofit is additionally bringing a one-of-a-kind acquisition opportunity: Tunnel to Towers, a “9/11 Never Forget” mobile grounds to eastbound Idaho. 

“We look astatine this banquet arsenic a reflection of nan civilization of our community, and our organization is responding successful an astonishing way,” said Snowder.

Seats are filling up accelerated for nan 9/11 Tribute Banquet. If you are interested, click here to acquisition tickets online. 

Andrea Olson, EastIdahoNews.com