About 200 first responders and military members received a free barbecue lunch on April 16, provided by Gerding Enterprises and Screaming Eagle Grill.
“It actually was about double what we did last year,” said Chuck Gerding, owner of Screaming Eagle Grill and Gerding Enterprises Inc., an aerospace manufacturer in Dittmer.
“This was our second year and it really has taken off.”
Gerding said lunch was served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the House Springs Lions Club, 6482 Hwy. MM.
He said the lunch was only open to first responders and members of the military, and the first one was held in April 2020.
“We just want to give back to our heroes. It’s all about them,” he said.
Gerding said attendees included members from the High Ridge and Cedar Hill fire protection districts, the Byrnes Mill and Hillsboro police departments, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Big River Ambulance District and Jefferson County 911 Dispatch.
“We had a really nice turnout,” he said.
Pork steaks, hot dogs, burgers, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad and a dessert were included in the lunch.
Gerding said he will hold another barbecue on Sept. 25 at the VFW in Cedar Hill, but it will be open to the public and will raise funds for the Backstoppers organization, which assists families of first responders who die or are seriously injured in the line of duty.