CLIMB FOR A CURE

MODESTO FIRE DEPARTMENT

Eleven members of the Modesto Fire Department Participated in the 28th annual LLS Firefighter Stairclimb on Sunday, March 10th in support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). They were joined by 2,000 other firefighters in full turnout gear in Seattle, Washington, and ascend 69 flights of stairs at the Columbia Center.

This year’s climb was close to our firefighters’ hearts as they lost their brother, Captain Greg Ewert, to his fight against Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Our firefighters also stand beside firefighter Alex Roussell as his son Auggie is battling Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. The Modesto team wore #AuggieStrong shirts and photos of Auggie and Captain Greg Ewert hung in the stairwell as the firefighters made their way to the top of the 2nd tallest building west of the Mississippi. 

The top finisher for Modesto was Scott Hall. He climbed 69 flights of stairs in 13:58. He placed 30 out of 2,000 participants. The team raised over $16,600.

SUCCESS AT RECFEST

Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods teamed up with the Tuolumne River Trust to host another successful RecFest.  This year's event, relocated to Tuolumne River Regional Park on Tioga Drive, was a great opportunity to showcase a hidden gem of a park in Modesto.  Attendees enjoyed fishing, biking, kite flying, live music, and more!  Mayor Brandvold joined volunteers in planting Valley Oak Trees within the park!  We'd like to encourage folks to take some time out of their busy schedules and check out this great river park.  Enjoy a stroll along the river, a family picnic or a scenic bike ride along the trails.

UP WITH PEOPLE VISIT MODESTO

Up with People came to Modesto March 18-25! UWP is global education organization that empowers young people to be positive agents of change in their communities and the world. Through cultural exchange, world travel, volunteerism, and the international language of music, UWP is making positive changes in the world every day. Participants from 20 countries traveled to our city for one week and lived with local host families for a true cultural immersion experience. The also spent approximately 1,000 hours working on volunteer projects with local schools and youth organizations. The week ended with a Live on Tour performance at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The performance included high energy international songs and dances, entertaining pop medleys, and original songs crafted to inspire people to make their own personal commitments to keeping hope alive in their communities. 100% of the proceeds from the Up with People performance benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Stanislaus County!