Seldom during the past 20 years that my wife and I have been privileged to live in Fountain Hills have we experienced the type of a unified effort that our community has shown in supporting the fallen firefighters from Prescott.

After moving from California to Arizona, we were fortunate and able to purchase residences both in Fountain Hills and the City of Prescott. The recent non-government, non-club or association fundraising effort generated by resident and long-time community dedicated volunteer Marilyn Higgins and Holiday Inn General Manager Gary Lvov produced an outstanding and successful event.

Gary has done many of these community events and is doing the reception for the Ukrainian Ambassador this fall....he speaks many languages including fluent Russian.

I understand that many others already made contributions, but clearly this was a total from-the-heart effort in the American spirit of supporting others in need and done with little support from the media.

A special appreciation to Councilmember Cassie Hansen for reciting a powerful poem that had many of us in a moment of reflection.

As this town continues to argue about the budget, street reconstruction and business development, which are all valid issues, it was indeed a special occasion to have attended this friendly event…again developed by two special individuals.