Shawnee Business Honors First Responders with Pancakes and Gratitude
A Shawnee business hosted a breakfast for first responders, providing an opportunity for police officers, paramedics, and firefighters to share a meal and connect.
EnviroTech Heating and Cooling Showdowns Gratitude
EnviroTech Heating and Cooling owner James Gallet initiated the event, inspired by his daughter's suggestion to honor the community's first responders.
“It’s just kind of a way to thank them for their service. Just something special and unique that no one else is doing,” said Gallet.
In its inaugural year, the event served approximately 80 individuals. This year, organizers aim to accommodate around 120 people, including first responders from various parts of the Kansas City metro, both on and off duty.
Gallet, who has family members in the line of duty, attributes his interest in first responders to his uncle, a volunteer firefighter.
“I saw my uncle growing up as a kid. He’s a volunteer firefighter. We would be over at their house, and a call would come in, and he would just have to take off and go help with a crash or fire or whatever is taking place. So that’s kind of where I had my first exposure to first responders, was through my uncle,” Gallet shared.
The event serves as a community gesture of appreciation and a way to foster connections among first responders.
“Just some, you know, just thank you from us, I guess. And thank you for doing what you do. So just hopefully they show up next year and tell more people about it,” Gallet expressed*.
The gathering also marked a birthday celebration, underscoring the camaraderie and sense of community among first responders.