Jumpline MAG_Spring 2026 - Flipbook - Page 22
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1403 Of昀椀cers
Gil Velasquez Jr.
Charity Chairman
Local 1403 Charity Update
is our “Shop, Drop & Roll with a Fire昀椀ghter” event,
which kicks off the toy drive in partnership with
Walmart. During this event, 昀椀re昀椀ghters are paired
with children and families in need and assist
them while they shop for toys and holiday gifts.
The event has become a meaningful tradition for
many of the families involved and helps ensure
that children in our community are able to experience the joy of the holiday season.
The members of IAFF Local
1403 continue to support a number of charitable initiatives and
causes, throughout the year, that
are important to 昀椀re昀椀ghters and
their families.
One of our longest-running partnerships is
with the American Lung Association through the
annual Fight for Air Climb. This year marked our
22nd consecutive year serving as the Presenting
Sponsor of the event. The climb raises funds and awareness for lung disease research, education, and patient support.
For 昀椀re昀椀ghters, lung health is a particularly meaningful issue
given the exposures we face on the job.
The success of the toy drive would not be possible
without the volunteers who helped organize and support
the effort. We would like to recognize and thank the following
individuals for their help: Brittany Nasso, John Kelly, Laura
Graves, Heather Peña, Andre Cruzeta, and Chris Grif昀椀n.
Once again, our membership stepped up to support the cause. So far this year, Local 1403 members
have raised $51,794, and our union contributed $20,000 as the
event’s Presenting Sponsor. Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, or helped promote the event.
Local 1403 Charity also hosted a Super Bowl Party fundraiser, which helped bring members and supporters
together while raising additional funds for our charitable initiatives. We would also like to recognize the volunteers who assisted with organizing that event:
In addition to the Fight For Air Climb, Local 1403 members also
supported several other community events throughout the year.
Brittany Nasso, George Chavez, Carlos Chavez, John Kelly,
and Chris Simpson.
One of those events was the 7th Annual Autism Bike
Ride – Riding for the Cause, which brings together
cyclists and community members to raise awareness
and funds supporting autism-related programs.
Charity Website
Another important initiative is our annual
Toys for Kids program, organized through
Local 1403 Charity. Each year, 昀椀re昀椀ghters help
collect toys for children across Miami-Dade County whose families may be facing 昀椀nancial hardship
during the holiday season. A highlight of the program
Gil and his boys -Air CLimb 2026
Spring 2026 | JUMPLINE Magazine
These efforts are part of the broader work done
through Local 1403 Charity to support 昀椀re昀椀ghters,
their families, and the communities we serve. On
behalf of the charity committee, I would
like to thank all of the members who donated their time, resources, and support
to these initiatives throughout the year.
Your continued involvement helps make these programs successful and re昀氀ects the strong connection
between our union and the community.
