On behalf of the Cumberland County Fire Chiefs Association (CCFCA), we are proud to announce our inaugural Ignite the Night Firefighter Ball — a powerful evening dedicated to honoring our firefighters and launching a vital new initiative to support their mental health and wellness.

Saturday, October 17, 2026

5:00 PM

Embassy Suites, Fayetteville, NC

Here’s the vision: Our goal is for every Cumberland County firefighter and their plus one to attend completely FREE — no tickets, no cost, no barriers.

This is only possible if we hit our minimum fundraising goal of $50,000. These funds will cover the full cost of the event (venue, food, entertainment, decorations, and more) so our heroes and their families can simply show up, connect, and celebrate without worrying about a ticket price. Every dollar above the $50k goal will go directly into a new peer support network and mental health & wellness resources for our firefighters and their families.

All donations to the Benevolent Fund for the Ignite the Night Ball are tax-deductible. The Benevolent Fund is a registered non-profit, so your generous contribution may be tax deductible (consult your tax advisor for details).

Firefighting is one of the most demanding professions in the world. Beyond the physical dangers, our firefighters face invisible battles every single day — repeated trauma, high-stress calls, and shift work that take a devastating toll on mental and emotional health. National research shows firefighters experience significantly higher rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicide compared to the general population — rates comparable to military veterans. But unlike veterans who may return to civilian life, firefighters live and work in the very communities where the trauma occurs. They drive past the wreck sites, burned homes, and painful memories every shift.

This burden doesn’t stop with them. Their families endure secondary trauma, leading to higher anxiety, strained relationships, and divorce rates three times higher than the national average.

Ignite the Night is more than a ball — it’s a movement to build resilience, connection, and hope for the men and women who run toward danger so we don’t have to. By making attendance free, we remove every obstacle so the entire fire service family can come together.

How You Can Help Us Reach $50,000 and Make Attendance Free:

We’ve created meaningful sponsorship levels that give your business or organization powerful visibility while directly funding free attendance for our firefighters:

• 3rd Alarm Sponsor – $10,000 (Only ONE available!)

Premier logo placement on ALL event materials, Step-and-Repeat photo backdrop, table topper, 10 tickets, website logo, verbal recognition, and a full-page ad in the event slideshow.

• 2nd Alarm Sponsor – $5,000 (or sponsor a key element like favors or entertainment)

Logo on event materials + table topper, 6 tickets, website logo, verbal recognition, and half-page ad in slideshow.

• 1st Alarm Sponsor – $1,000

2 tickets to the ball, logo on the website, and company name on the sponsor slide.

• Station Sponsor – $750

Company name on the website and sponsor slide.

• Engine Sponsor – $500

Company name listed on the sponsor slide.

We also gratefully accept in-kind donations for our raffle and silent auction (gift cards, experiences, products, etc.) to help offset event costs and make the night even more special.

Your support will directly fuel programs that save lives and strengthen the families who protect ours every day.

🚨 DONATE NOW & HELP IGNITE THE NIGHT

Every dollar brings us closer to making this night FREE for every firefighter and their plus one.

👉 https://givesendgo.com/CCFCABenevolentFund

For sponsorship inquiries, larger donations, or to discuss in-kind raffle and silent auction items, please contact:

Assistant Chief Joshua Hopkins

joshua.d.hopkins3.civ@army.mil

302-598-4999

Together, we can Ignite the Night and show our firefighters they are never alone.

Thank you for standing with the brave men and women of Cumberland County Fire Service.

#IgniteTheNight #SupportOurFirefighters #MentalHealthForFirstResponders #FreeForOurHeroes