The 11th annual Jefferson County BackStoppers BBQ raised $152,000 for the nonprofit benefiting first responders, the most in the barbecue event’s history.
The fundraiser, held Sept. 19 at the Big River VFW hall in Cedar Hill, drew nearly 3,000 attendees, said Jamie Guinn, chief at the North Jefferson County Ambulance District and president of the Jefferson County BackStoppers.
All proceeds from the event benefit BackStoppers, a nonprofit that supports families of first responders who are severely injured or die in the line of duty. Guinn said the nonprofit helps local first responders in 28 counties in Missouri and Illinois.
Since Chuck and Cindy Gerding, owners of Gerding Enterprises in Dittmer, started the event 11 years ago, the barbecue has raised more than $840,000 for BackStoppers. Chuck also owns and operates the Screaming Eagle Grill, which donates its time and proceeds annually to the barbecue.
Guinn said Jefferson County BackStoppers played a larger role in the barbecue this year, taking on more of the fundraising and leaving the barbecuing up to Chuck and his grill team.
“The Scream Team served over 1,400 meals (at the barbecue),” Guinn said. “We’re super proud of the county, all the first responding agencies pulling together and helping. It’s not an event without Chuck and Cindy Gerding, and the entire Scream Team. Over 50 men and women volunteer their time every year for 11 years now, all to give back and support the families of first responders.”
In addition to the barbecue, the event included music, kids’ activities, first responder meet-and-greets and a fireworks show.
Many people who have received help from BackStoppers spoke at the event, Guinn said, including Anastasia Shaffrey, wife of the late Marvin Shaffrey, a Cedar Hill Fire battalion chief who died from complications of COVID in 2021. Guinn said Anastasia’s and Marvin’s two daughters are both in college and supported by BackStoppers.
“Another person we had speak is a firefighter from Cedar Hill Fire, Gavin Sloan,” Guinn said. “Gavin’s father, Nicholas Sloan, was a police officer from St. Louis City who lost his life years ago when Gavin was a baby. He (Gavin) is giving back by becoming a first responder, and BackStoppers helped with his EMT school, his fire school and all that.”
BackStoppers also supports the family of Jonathan Noce, a paramedic with the Joachim Plattin Ambulance District who died while on duty in 2016. Every year, Jonathan’s daughters, Payton and Dakota, raise money for BackStoppers by hosting a sale of pumpkins grown on the Noce family farm in southern Jefferson County. Guinn said the family raises about $5,000 to $9,000 annually for the nonprofit by selling the pumpkins.
“Payton & Dakota’s Pumpkin Patch” will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Reuther Ford, 1325 McNutt St., in Herculaneum.
To donate, visit BackStoppers of Jefferson County, Missouri Facebook page or email jeffersoncountybackstoppers@gmail.com.