Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Matthews.
Joe, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I came from a family where my father was involved in several local Charity Organizations in the Houston area and he always let me tag along with him when possible. It was this involvement in charitable activities that instilled the same volunteer spirit in me that eventually led to the formation of the Texas Association of First Responders. Through the years, I had the honor to volunteer with a charitable organization that benefited local charities in Houston/Harris County, Texas, through several fundraisers. One of the fundraisers was a BBQ Cook-off hosted by local First Responders, of which I had the pleasure of serving and gaining knowledge as Chairman for several years.
Eventually, these men and women of Law Enforcement, Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services had a vision that involved what they viewed as a vital need for their professions. What many people don’t realize is the financial toll it can take on a First Responder and their families when they become injured in the line of duty. Now with the loss of income from both their regular job and extra jobs, their bills will continue along with the added cost of medical expenses and rehabilitation that can go on for months or years.
In 2007, I was then given the honor of accepting their request to set up the 501(c)3 charitable organization, Texas Association of First Responders on their behalf, to assist First Responders injured in the line of duty.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Other than the initial and ongoing need for funding, it has been a relatively smooth road.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Texas Association of First Responders story. Tell us more about your organization.
Texas Association of First Responders is a 501(c)3, all-volunteer organization founded in August 2007 by members of the First Responder community to assist Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services personnel who are seriously injured in the line of duty.
TAFR is a statewide organization that has assisted First Responders from Federal, State and Local Departments and Agencies, regardless if it’s in a large urban area or a small rural town around Texas. Texas Association of First Responders honors those men and women of Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services that serve our communities and ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens. TAFR has a slogan that sums up the men and women that serve to protect our communities: “First To Show… Last To Go” (TM).
As the world goes through changes with the current Covid pandemic TAFR was not able to host their largest annual fundraiser. The need is still there and the need is still great in assisting our Texas first responders injured in the line of duty. To raise the funds needed to keep our organization flowing we have decided to start a GoFundMe through 2020 to raise desperately needed help. We can’t do it without the love and support of our communities. Thank you for assisting please donate today. https://charity.
Contact Info:
- Website: TAFR.org
- Phone: 281.731.2999
- Email: klopez@tafr.org
- Facebook: Texas Association of First Responders
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