Family of IFD firefighter who passed away from cancer, receives check in his memory
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Indianapolis firefighters came together in support of a family who lost their personal hero.
16-year veteran Indianapolis firefighter, Joel Johnston, passed away last year after battling cancer.
The funds were raised at the first annual Fire Ball, a benefit event sponsored by Fire Family Foundation.
The first Fire Ball Charity Event presented his family with a $5,000 check Tuesday. The money will help finance his son Dylan Johnston’s first year of college at IUPUI. Johnston will attend the university in the fall.
He was also joined by his mother and his father’s fellow firefighters, and representatives from Fire Family Foundation and Lucas Oil.
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity that our family has been shown throughout Joel’s battle and since his death. This is just another sign of the support that our family received, and we’re extremely grateful,” Johnston’s mother Loran said.
Fire Ball organizers said more people will be appointed as beneficiaries of the new annual fundraiser.
More than 250 people attended the event. $55,000 was raised in charitable funds.