Celebrating Our First Responders

From October 28 to November 1, King of Prussia District, in partnership with Upper Merion Township (UMT) and Lead Sponsor Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) King of Prussia Campus, proudly hosted the 5^th annual First Responders Appreciation Week. This special initiative honored UMT’s dedicated career and volunteer first responders with a week of delicious meals and treats.

The week kicked off with an opening reception and luncheon at the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company, the host location for the week of festivities. During the opening, UMT’s Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tina Garzillo expressed her deep gratitude for the commitment of UMT’s first responders, highlighting their vital role in maintaining the township’s reputation as a safe community. This appreciation was echoed by Upper Merion Township’s Interim Director of Public Safety/Police Chief Blaine Leis and Pedro Alicia Jr., Security Operations Manager for CHOP King of Prussia. Rachel Ammon, King of Prussia District’s Director of Marketing & Communications, emphasized the growing support from the local business community for this event, and proudly presented a $2,000 donation to the Department of Public Safety on behalf of sponsors.

Throughout First Responders Appreciation Week, over 250 first responders enjoyed ten meals from KOP favorites, including bagelicious, Bang Cookies, Cheesecake Factory, Choolaah, Duck Donuts, Fogo de Chão, Founding Farmers, Gregorys Coffee, Melting Pot, Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings, Paladar Latin Kitchen, Panera, Peppers By Amedeo’s Restaurant & Bar and Starbuck’s Coffee, as well as cupcakes from Dia Doce and custom coffee drinks from Blue Wren Coffee House. While these meals can’t fully express the community’s gratitude for their service, this week-long celebration offered a meaningful opportunity for local businesses to show their appreciation.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the sponsors of First Responders Appreciation Week, whose generous support made this event possible: Lead Sponsor Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s King of Prussia Campus; Supporting Sponsors Brandywine Realty Trust, Eigen X, KOP Town Center/CBRE, Police and Fire Federal Credit Union, Radial, The Kubach Family, SERVPRO of King of Prussia, Trulieve, Unruh Turner Burke & Frees and Valley Forge Casino Resort; and Friend Sponsors Arkema Inc., Bacchi Funeral Home, Conlin’s Print, Industrial Investments, Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital, Pro Team Collision and Wegmans.