Walk for West Webster Firefighters
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: January 5, 2013
Thousands of dollars have been raised to support the injured and the fallen and those efforts are still going strong. The Operation Patriot Foundation held a charity walk for the West Webster Firefighters at Greece Ridge Mall on Saturday.
The event was another step forward for a town in mourning. Since the tragedy, people from all over the country have been showing their support and Saturday was no different.
"It makes me feel proud. Proud to be a Rochesterian. Proud to be among a group like this that people support and the crowd that is here it shows you that people care," said Barry Balch of Greece.
Hearts were heavy at Greece Ridge Mall, but people held their heads high as they walked and paid tribute to the firefighters who were killed and injured on Christmas Eve. Operation Patriot led the way.
"When this happened I was full of emotion. I really can't explain how I felt. Watching the events unfold and the funerals and the services, it was tear-jerking. It was important for us to respond," said Mark Rossney, Founder of Operation Patriot.
The community agreed. Hundreds came together to show their support for the West Webster Volunteer Fireman's Association.
"Hopefully they get past this and know that everybody is still there for them and that we still care," said Sherry Whaley of Webster.
"It's extremely difficult. It's such a senseless crime and to make sense of it, you can't wrap your head around it, and it's just so emotional. It's really hard for me not to cry with seeing all the people here showing respect to great men and women," said Amy Kaptein of Webster.
West Webster Firefighters were among the walkers. Phil Vanderlee says the department is overwhelmed by the community's generosity. It's that generosity that is helping the firefighters cope.
"It is tough for all of us. We are all going through a lot right now. We all have a lot of different emotions about everything and it's really hard to put anything into words right now about that," said Phil Vanderlee of the West Webster Fire Department.
"The firemen have always been important in this area. We've had volunteers for years and years. When something like this happens, it just touches everybody," said Balch.
All money raised at the event today will be donated to the West Webster Volunteer Fireman's Association.
The event was another step forward for a town in mourning. Since the tragedy, people from all over the country have been showing their support and Saturday was no different.
"It makes me feel proud. Proud to be a Rochesterian. Proud to be among a group like this that people support and the crowd that is here it shows you that people care," said Barry Balch of Greece.
Hearts were heavy at Greece Ridge Mall, but people held their heads high as they walked and paid tribute to the firefighters who were killed and injured on Christmas Eve. Operation Patriot led the way.
"When this happened I was full of emotion. I really can't explain how I felt. Watching the events unfold and the funerals and the services, it was tear-jerking. It was important for us to respond," said Mark Rossney, Founder of Operation Patriot.
The community agreed. Hundreds came together to show their support for the West Webster Volunteer Fireman's Association.
"Hopefully they get past this and know that everybody is still there for them and that we still care," said Sherry Whaley of Webster.
"It's extremely difficult. It's such a senseless crime and to make sense of it, you can't wrap your head around it, and it's just so emotional. It's really hard for me not to cry with seeing all the people here showing respect to great men and women," said Amy Kaptein of Webster.
West Webster Firefighters were among the walkers. Phil Vanderlee says the department is overwhelmed by the community's generosity. It's that generosity that is helping the firefighters cope.
"It is tough for all of us. We are all going through a lot right now. We all have a lot of different emotions about everything and it's really hard to put anything into words right now about that," said Phil Vanderlee of the West Webster Fire Department.
"The firemen have always been important in this area. We've had volunteers for years and years. When something like this happens, it just touches everybody," said Balch.
All money raised at the event today will be donated to the West Webster Volunteer Fireman's Association.
