ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Hero Network is gearing up for its annual Bourbon for Badges event on February 28 at Tapawingo Golf Club, aiming to raise over $62,000 to support local heroes, including Captain Tommy Shine.
The event, organized by firefighter Charlie Metzner, will feature a live auction to benefit first responders and their families. This year, the fundraiser will also support Captain Tommy Shine, a Wentzville fire captain in critical condition after complications from heart surgery.
“It’s like a drug, it’s a drug because when you’re able to make a difference in the lives of first responders and their families,” said Charlie Metzner, founder of the St. Louis Hero Network. “I just want to help him and his family get through all of his medical issues.”
Local artist Lindsay Wanner has joined the effort, creating unique art pieces from broken CDs and records to be auctioned at the event. Her work transforms discarded materials into beautiful art, with one piece featuring a tribute to Super Bowl standout Patrick Mahomes.
Wanner expressed her surprise at the impact of her work, saying, “I still don’t even believe it, I was just doing something that made me happy, and I’ve found a way to make it help other people.”
Captain Tommy Shine is known for his heroic rescue of a teenager from icy waters, a story depicted in the movie ‘Breakthrough.’ His current medical condition has rallied the community to support him through this challenging time.
The St. Louis Hero Network has been supporting first responders for seven years, focusing on those facing critical times. The Bourbon for Badges event is a key part of their fundraising efforts.
The Bourbon for Badges event not only aims to raise significant funds but also highlights the community’s commitment to supporting its local heroes. As Metzner noted, “St. Louis is a special town, it really gets behind things that it believes in.”