This is a photo that was just sent to me of our Sunday fundraiser. What a blast! We are working on a recap of the event. Those are our people on the top patio. ... See MoreSee Less
July 2, 2024 Happy National Wildland Firefighter Day! It's great to recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication of wildland firefighters. Their bravery and resilience in protecting our forests and communities are truly commendable. Thank you for everything you do! Be safe out there!!! ... See MoreSee Less
6/29/24 Tomorrow is our big day, we have been sold out for a month… We will have raffle items and door prizes.
We will be doing two live auctions, One auction is for, 4 tickets to a mutually agreed upon Dodger game. These tickets are donated by Pedro Montero, Pedro was a close friend of Kevin’s and is now an on field coach for the Dodgers. If you get there early enough you can walk down to the field level and meet Pedro. The tickets are the Dodger team seats, you will be sitting with the families of the Dodger players. Great seats, great times!
Live auction number 2,
A Diamond necklace valued at $2400 and a $150 gift card donated by Gorjana. This is incredibly beautiful, Think about it guys…. You can make that special someone happy and donate to a good cause all at once! (Thank you Mackenzie Dutton for making this happen) Must be present to bid. We can bill you later so don’t worry about having the cash on hand. ... See MoreSee Less
6/27/24 UPDATE: As you may know the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Assn was honored to join the LA City VS LA County fishing tournament in providing funding for America Salmeron. Today I got a message from our long time friend Richard Yokley, who was so touched by her story that he is donating $5000 to the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Assn so we can increase our donation to America from $5000 to $10,000. That is incredible!!!! Thank you Richard, Thank you Andy Ruiz and especially thank you to America, your attitude and strength is truly inspiring!
6/25/24 What an emotional day as we near June 30th. Today is the 6 year anniversary of the murder of Long Beach Fire Captain Dave Rosa. Dave was very close to some of my friends and he was one of my explorers in Battalion 9. RIP Dave Rosa. Tonight after a quick board meeting of the Kevin WoyjeckExplorers for Life Assn I hustled to berth 55 to see my friend Andy Ruiz, Andy is the chair of the LA City vs LA County firefighter fish off. This is a fishing event that I hold dear to my heart as Kevin and I fished in the tournament in the past. This is the 25th year of the tournament with all funds going to burn survivors. Andy was telling me about how they had two incredible burn survivors that they were going to donate to and one was an explorer. This peaked my interest. I asked Andy to tell me about the explorer. He said her name is America Salmeron and she is 18 years old. She is an explorer with the Pasadena Fire department and about a year ago she was involved in a dune buggy crash in Arizona. She was trapped in the upside down car that was on fire, she self rescued and suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns on 51 percent of her body. I asked Andy if the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life could also help her. He said, “absolutely” so I went to our board and we agreed to donate $5000 to America to be used for school, fire academy, EMT and or Paramedic school and other mutually agreed upon things. It was so emotional, There were about 100 tough old fishing fire guys listening as I talked about Kevin and our non profit, you could hear a pin drop. America stood tall, tears dripping off of her chin as I talked and as I told her that the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Assn was going to give her $5000 to further her education etc. She was so grateful. My eyes were sweating, my voice was cracking. It felt so good that the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Assn was able to help. We couldn’t do it without our sponsors. America, you are a true inspiration! ... See MoreSee Less
Excellent way to pay it for forward to help others in Kevin’s honor!
Well done
Just more things Kev would be proud you’re doing.
I hope you all are doing well.
You do great work and have helped so many! Keep it up Joe!
This is wonderful! May God continue to bless you and Kevin Woyjeck Explorers For Life Assoc. Inc. Helping those who are in need
💪👍😢🚒🇺🇸
Such a heartwarming story, and way to honor your son and his crew mates. 💖🙏
💔 💔 Our friends Capt. T J Schlick (Captain of EldoradoSportfishing) & Oliver Solis owner of Fishing Syndicate 🎣 Just had a fund raiser aboard the Eldorado 🙌 🙌 🙌 I know Kev is smiling on you from heaven. My late father Everett USMC went back to logging when he got out of the military. He summer's that he couldn't log, he worked with the Wildland Firefighters where we lived. Helicopterting in with many other's and returning at the end of fire season. We at a very young age knew what all these hero's do everyday. We will never forget those whom lost their lives serving 💔 🔥 🙏 Our families prayers are always wth you 🙏
Thank you for the follow up on her. So great to see her survival and pride. Beautiful
Great work sir.
It is more than a job......you are doing great Joe...
What to expect for the June 30 event. Event starts at 2pm Parking- parking is free, Be prepared to walk. When you arrive follow the signs upstairs to the private event. You will check in and receive a wrist band that will provide you with access to this private event that includes food, and 1 custom brewed, “Kevin crew Brew” ale. Along with great music from the Kelly Boyz band. Please have a plan if you choose to take full advantage of the brewery, DD’s- Uber and Lift are good options! Thank you to our friends for the support, Thank you to Ballast point for having us! ... See MoreSee Less
June 30th is right around the corner!!! The fundraiser starts at 2pm and ends at 6’ish upstairs at Ballast Point (Long Beach) There is free parking and there is valet available. The parking lot may get full but there is parking in the maria parking lot, you may have a mild walk to get to Ballast point. Once you arrive please follow the signs that will lead you upstairs to our private event, there you will receive a wristband that will allow private access, food,shirt, and get your special, custom, “Kevin crew Brew” ale that is being brewed as I type. There will be 19 raffle items so bring some cash if you want to buy raffle tickets, checks are ok also. The band will be fun! If you choose to enjoy the brewery to the fullest please have a plan, Uber, lift, etc are great options. I have had a few people back out so if you want to go shoot me a text. (562)547-8919 Love you all, Joe ... See MoreSee Less
June 8th, 2024 I was asked to present the Kevin Woyjeck Memorial award to the top candidate graduating from the 162nd class of the El Camino fire academy. I must admit that I was humbled to be there. The winner of the Kevin Award was Valeri Tischer, After being a German firefighter for 9 years Valeri Wanted more, so he packed up his family , started studying english, signed up for fire tech classes at El Camino college and earned his way into the El Camino fire Academy where he earned the top candidate award. That is one laser focused firefighter! Congratulations, the award is well deserved! On the way to the graduation I was on the phone with my friend Mike Alegria. He asked me what I was up to and I told him about going the the El Camino Graduation. He then told me that he too was a product of the El Camino Fire academy, what makes this cool is that Mike is now the fire Chief of Avalon City fire department on Catalina island. Way to go Chief Alegria! As a way to show respect to Kevin and his crew the academy does 19 Pushups at the end of everyday, this includes the instructors!!! My eyes always sweat alittle when I get to see these 19 push-ups. The Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association has helped candidates in the past with tuition and equipment for this Academy. We look forward to helping them in the future. Thank you all for your support. Joe ... See MoreSee Less
What a wonderful presentation. Proud of your foundation.
During June, all of the 19 anything make my eyes sweat, too. I think we are always going to react this way. You were the one who said “a new meaning to June Gloom”. If you have ever lived in So Cal, you understand the weather reference. For us it has a different meaning. Sending love to you and Anna. 💜19
Always doing great things for the future
of the fire service (our young people). Way to go…You and your family are amazing!!!
Joe Wojo Anna Woyjeck
Kevin Woyjeck Explorers For Life Assoc. Inc.
I have never had a firefighter plate. Anna got this for my truck!
Never forget!
RIP 19 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
👍🇺🇸
What a wonderful gift❤️
💙💙💙
Oh my!!!! Probably the best one ever!
That is awesome Joe!!
Awesome
That's Awesome Brother!
Lots of LOVE .
This is a memory that always brings tears to my eyes. Kevin you are still here in a lot of hearts!
That's awesome! ❤️
Is CalTrans going to put the freeway sign back up on the 405 or am I just missing it amongst the construction?
Love it!!!
That’s an awesome gift!♥️
Beautiful! Always in my heart ...
View more comments
This is a photo that was just sent to me of our Sunday fundraiser. What a blast! We are working on a recap of the event. Those are our people on the top patio. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
July 2, 2024
Happy National Wildland Firefighter Day! It's great to recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication of wildland firefighters. Their bravery and resilience in protecting our forests and communities are truly commendable. Thank you for everything you do!
Be safe out there!!! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
6/29/24
Tomorrow is our big day, we have been sold out for a month…
We will have raffle items and door prizes.
We will be doing two live auctions,
One auction is for,
4 tickets to a mutually agreed upon Dodger game.
These tickets are donated by Pedro Montero, Pedro was a close friend of Kevin’s and is now an on field coach for the Dodgers. If you get there early enough you can walk down to the field level and meet Pedro.
The tickets are the Dodger team seats, you will be sitting with the families of the Dodger players.
Great seats, great times!
Live auction number 2,
A Diamond necklace valued at $2400 and a $150 gift card donated by Gorjana.
This is incredibly beautiful,
Think about it guys….
You can make that special someone happy and donate to a good cause all at once!
(Thank you Mackenzie Dutton for making this happen)
Must be present to bid.
We can bill you later so don’t worry about having the cash on hand. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Good Luck Sir! Hope you guys do AMAZING!
6/27/24
UPDATE:
As you may know the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Assn was honored to join the LA City VS LA County fishing tournament in providing funding for America Salmeron. Today I got a message from our long time friend Richard Yokley, who was so touched by her story that he is donating $5000 to the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Assn so we can increase our donation to America from $5000 to $10,000.
That is incredible!!!!
Thank you Richard, Thank you Andy Ruiz and especially thank you to America, your attitude and strength is truly inspiring!
America has a go fund me page at
www.gofundme.com/f/america-salmeron-recovery-efforts?qid=a248aa1afc2aaa48cd93ade2392a722c ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
6/25/24
What an emotional day as we near June 30th.
Today is the 6 year anniversary of the murder of Long Beach Fire Captain Dave Rosa. Dave was very close to some of my friends and he was one of my explorers in Battalion 9.
RIP Dave Rosa.
Tonight after a quick board meeting of the Kevin WoyjeckExplorers for Life Assn I hustled to berth 55 to see my friend Andy Ruiz, Andy is the chair of the LA City vs LA County firefighter fish off. This is a fishing event that I hold dear to my heart as Kevin and I fished in the tournament in the past. This is the 25th year of the tournament with all funds going to burn survivors. Andy was telling me about how they had two incredible burn survivors that they were going to donate to and one was an explorer.
This peaked my interest.
I asked Andy to tell me about the explorer.
He said her name is America Salmeron and she is 18 years old. She is an explorer with the Pasadena Fire department and about a year ago she was involved in a dune buggy crash in Arizona. She was trapped in the upside down car that was on fire, she self rescued and suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns on 51 percent
of her body. I asked Andy if the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life could also help her.
He said, “absolutely” so I went to our board and we agreed to donate $5000 to America to be used for school, fire academy, EMT and or Paramedic school and other mutually agreed upon things.
It was so emotional,
There were about 100 tough old fishing fire guys listening as I talked about Kevin and our non profit, you could hear a pin drop. America stood tall, tears dripping off of her chin as I talked and as I told her that the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Assn was going to give her $5000 to further her education etc.
She was so grateful.
My eyes were sweating, my voice was cracking.
It felt so good that the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Assn was able to help.
We couldn’t do it without our sponsors.
America, you are a true inspiration! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Good work in Kevin’s memory and honor.
How wonderful, this is a beautiful story 🥲❤️
Wonderful 👏❤️
Excellent way to pay it for forward to help others in Kevin’s honor!
Well done
Just more things Kev would be proud you’re doing. I hope you all are doing well.
You do great work and have helped so many! Keep it up Joe!
This is wonderful! May God continue to bless you and Kevin Woyjeck Explorers For Life Assoc. Inc. Helping those who are in need
💪👍😢🚒🇺🇸
Such a heartwarming story, and way to honor your son and his crew mates. 💖🙏
💔 💔 Our friends Capt. T J Schlick (Captain of EldoradoSportfishing) & Oliver Solis owner of Fishing Syndicate 🎣 Just had a fund raiser aboard the Eldorado 🙌 🙌 🙌 I know Kev is smiling on you from heaven. My late father Everett USMC went back to logging when he got out of the military. He summer's that he couldn't log, he worked with the Wildland Firefighters where we lived. Helicopterting in with many other's and returning at the end of fire season. We at a very young age knew what all these hero's do everyday. We will never forget those whom lost their lives serving 💔 🔥 🙏 Our families prayers are always wth you 🙏
Thank you for the follow up on her. So great to see her survival and pride. Beautiful
Great work sir.
It is more than a job......you are doing great Joe...
View more comments
What to expect for the June 30 event.
Event starts at 2pm
Parking- parking is free,
Be prepared to
walk.
When you arrive follow the signs upstairs to the private event. You will check in and receive a wrist band that will provide you with access to this private event that includes food, and 1 custom brewed,
“Kevin crew Brew” ale.
Along with great music from the Kelly Boyz band.
Please have a plan if you choose to take full advantage of the brewery,
DD’s- Uber and Lift are good options!
Thank you to our friends for the support,
Thank you to Ballast point for having us! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
June 30th is right around the corner!!!
The fundraiser starts at 2pm and ends at 6’ish upstairs at Ballast Point (Long Beach)
There is free parking and there is valet available.
The parking lot may get full but there is parking in the maria parking lot, you may have a mild walk to get to Ballast point.
Once you arrive please follow the signs that will lead you upstairs to our private event, there you will receive a wristband that will allow private access, food,shirt, and get your special, custom, “Kevin crew Brew” ale that is being brewed as I type.
There will be 19 raffle items so bring some cash if you want to buy raffle tickets, checks are ok also.
The band will be fun!
If you choose to enjoy the brewery to the fullest please have a plan, Uber, lift, etc are great options.
I have had a few people back out so if you want to go shoot me a text.
(562)547-8919
Love you all,
Joe ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
June 8th, 2024
I was asked to present the Kevin Woyjeck Memorial award to the top candidate graduating from the 162nd class of the El Camino fire academy. I must admit that I was humbled to be there.
The winner of the Kevin Award was Valeri Tischer,
After being a German firefighter for 9 years Valeri
Wanted more, so he packed up his family , started studying english, signed up for fire tech classes at El Camino college and earned his way into the El Camino fire Academy where he earned the top candidate award. That is one laser focused firefighter!
Congratulations, the award is well deserved!
On the way to the graduation I was on the phone with my friend Mike Alegria. He asked me what I was up to and I told him about going the the El Camino Graduation. He then told me that he too was a product of the El Camino Fire academy, what makes this cool is that Mike is now the fire Chief of Avalon City fire department on Catalina island. Way to go Chief Alegria!
As a way to show respect to Kevin and his crew the academy does 19 Pushups at the end of everyday, this includes the instructors!!!
My eyes always sweat alittle when I get to see these 19 push-ups.
The Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association has helped candidates in the past with tuition and equipment for this Academy. We look forward to helping them in the future.
Thank you all for your support.
Joe ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
What a wonderful presentation. Proud of your foundation. During June, all of the 19 anything make my eyes sweat, too. I think we are always going to react this way. You were the one who said “a new meaning to June Gloom”. If you have ever lived in So Cal, you understand the weather reference. For us it has a different meaning. Sending love to you and Anna. 💜19
Always doing great things for the future of the fire service (our young people). Way to go…You and your family are amazing!!! Joe Wojo Anna Woyjeck Kevin Woyjeck Explorers For Life Assoc. Inc.