The 26th Annual Scottsdale Firefighters Charities Dinner at Mastro’s City Hall proved once again why this event has become one of the Valley’s premier charitable gatherings. With a goal of exceeding last year’s record-breaking $100,000 raised, the evening celebrated both the selfless work of Scottsdale’s 300 firefighters and three remarkable individuals who embody the spirit of community service.
The 2025 CARE Awards, standing for Contribute to Achievement and Re-define Excellence, honored an inspiring trio. Max Ashton, who overcame being born mostly blind to become the youngest blind person to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, now serves the Foundation of Blind Children, advocating tirelessly for those with visual impairments. DJ Foster, the legendary Saguaro High School standout who went on to play for the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals, currently mentors the next generation as Director of Player Development at Arizona State. And Autumn Curiel, who transformed unimaginable tragedy into powerful action after losing her son Preston Lord to teen violence, co-founded Justice 4 Preston Lord to combat youth violence and empower victims across Arizona.
The evening also recognized Chad Gibby as Firefighter of the Year; a 26-year veteran whose dedication to training engineers, mentoring recruits, and serving with professionalism has made him indispensable to the department and beloved by his peers.
None of this would be possible without the generous support of sponsors who understand the value of investing in community safety and charitable giving. Title sponsor HonorHealth led an impressive roster of generous sponsors listed below.
The Scottsdale Firefighters Association, staffed by members of Local 5050, doesn’t just protect the city…they consistently give back, supporting organizations like Scottsdale JAG, the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, Vista Del Camino Food Bank, and the 100 Club of Arizona. From Fill the Boot campaigns to toy drives, these firefighters prove that heroism extends far beyond emergency responses.
In a world that often focuses on division, this dinner reminded us what’s possible when community leaders, generous sponsors, and dedicated public servants unite around a common purpose: making Scottsdale and the Valley a better place for everyone.
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
Honor Health
The Bob Ramsey Social Justice Foundation
Galloway Financial
Maricopa Ambulance
Mercedes Benz of Scottsdale
The Hatten Family Trust
Optima
Riot Hospitality Group
Scottsdale Quarter / George Kurtz
East Valley Institute of Technology
HCW / Ceasar’s Republic
M Culinary Concepts
Rose Allyn Public and Online Relations
Scottsdale Charros
Baker Development
Collector’s Garage at WestWorld
Yam Holdings / Bob Parsons
Peachtree Partners
Pro em
All City Towing