KOP Business Community Celebrates First Responders

From October 23 to 27, 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, coordinated a week of meals to celebrate and thank UMT’s career and volunteer first responders.

The event kicked off on Monday, Oct. 23 with an opening reception and luncheon at the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company, the location for the week of festivities. During the opening ceremony, UMT’s Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tina Garzillo and Vice Chair Dr. William Jenaway expressed their appreciation for UMT’s first responders and reflected on how their dedication has contributed to the Township’s reputation as a safe, welcoming community. This sentiment was echoed in remarks made by Chief Thomas Nolan, UMT’s Director of Public Safety and Enzo Poretta, Director of Operations for CHOP King of Prussia. King of Prussia District’s President & CEO, Eric Goldstein, also spoke, sharing how support from the business community has grown over the years, allowing us to pull out all the stops for UMT’s first responders.

During the 4th annual First Responders Appreciation Week, 10 incredible meals were served to 250+ first responders. From Brazilian sirloin, to a taco bar, to spicy tuna rolls, UMT’s brave men and women were treated to a diverse menu from 9 King of Prussia restaurants: 360 Chicken, Bagelicious, Bahama Breeze, Duffy’s Restaurant & Catering, Gaucho’s Prime, Kooma, Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar and Spread Bagelry. Throughout the week, first responders also enjoyed fun extras like gourmet coffee from Blue Wren Coffee House and Many Hands Coffee Co. and dessert from Duck Donuts, Kilwin’s, Kresha’s Kreations and Petrucci’s Ice Cream. While these meals don’t come close to fully acknowledging all that UMT’s first responders do to keep our community safe, this “week” is an opportunity for KOP’s business community to express gratitude.  

On December 7, King of Prussia District and Presenting Sponsor Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia proudly presented Upper Merion Township’s Department of Public Safety with a donation of $1,983.04 on behalf of the generous sponsors of First Responders Appreciation Week. King of Prussia businesses’ overwhelming support for the event allowed us to donate the remainder of the money raised, which will be used to purchase public safety equipment.

Our thanks to the sponsors of First Responders Week, as their support allows us to pay for each meal: Lead Sponsor Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s King of Prussia Campus; Supporting Sponsors AVE King of Prussia, Bacchi Funeral Home, Canvas Valley Forge, Eigen X, KOP Town Center/CBRE, Police and Fire Federal Credit Union, Radial, The Kubach Family, SERVPRO of King of Prussia, Trulieve and Valley Forge Casino Resort; and Friend Sponsors Arkema Inc., Conlin’s Print, The Galman Group, Lindy Community, Topgolf and Wells Fargo Advisors.