A benefit that reveals SF's extended family
By: Ken Garcia
Examiner Staff Writer
02/25/09 1:17 PM PST
When it comes to a need for compassion, it seems San Francisco residents always come to the rescue.
That will go a long way toward explaining how a group of unconnected people came together to throw a fundraiser tomorrow night for city firefighter Christopher Posey, who was critically injured fighting what officials are now calling an arson ignited fire in San Francisco's Portola district three weeks ago.
"I woke up two Saturdays ago and something told me I should do something,'' said Darlene Dumpit, who does marketing and events for a host of local non-profit organizations. "I just felt a need to show some community support during a crisis.''
Dumpit contacted a local club operator whom she knew and started making calls to various vendors, asking if they would donate supplies for the event. And the responses poured in from liquor sponsors and restaurants - yes, they could.
The result is a benefit for Posey and his family at Fat City (314 11th Street, South of Market) Thursday night from 6 p.m. to midnight. There is a $10 cover charge, with all the proceeds going to help the injured firefighter.
Local radio celebrities Sterling James and Charleston Pierce will emcee the event, which will feature DJ's and the band First Born. Belly dancers will perfom. Free food and mirth will be had - all in the name of a good cause.
For the record, his fellow firefighters at engine company 42 report that Posey, one of six of their members injured in the blaze, is recovering from his injuries, up to the point that he is walking and talking again - something that didn't seem possible a few weeks ago.
"He's doing way better than we ever thought he would,'' one company member told me, asking to remain anonymous. "But the recovery period is going to last a long time.''
San Francisco has a history of taking care of its own. And especially in bad times, that record is impressive.
"There's been no hesitation on behalf of people to help,'' Dumpit said. "That's the way it's supposed to happen."
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