The Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department is supporting ex-chief Donaven “Soupy” Wright in his fight against 9/11-related Stage 3 esophageal cancer with a fundraiser.
Wright is a member of the LCFD for 38 years and served as a detective in the NYPD for 20 years. As a Cedarhurst native, he graduated from Lawrence High School where he played varsity football.
He was the first African American Fire Chief in the 3rd Battalion, serving from 2007 to 2008.
“He paved the way for several young men from the battalion who serve today and he has sworn them all into office,” said Anthony Rivelli, LCFD ex-chief and fundraiser organizer.
The event will take place at LCFD headquarters, 75 Washington Ave., Lawrence on Nov. 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. It will feature a Chinese auction, food, poker, open bar, football, cigars and live music by Matt Wahl.
There will be $20,000 worth of prizes and cost $50 to enter without a raffle ticket or $100 for entry and raffle tickets.
“I want to make sure as the chairman of this event it’s a success and we’re able to help out the Wright family,” Rivelli said. “For everything he’s done for the city post 9/11, the Five Towns area as a fire chief and active member for many years, he was one of the most active guys he never missed an aid. It’s our responsibility to stand up for him right now and hold this fundraiser so we can show support and make sure his kids are taken care of.”
Sponsors from all across the South Shore of Long Island and beyond are showing support for Wright and being apart of the fundraiser. Sponsors include Arty’s Collision Shop, North Star Collision, Mother Kelly’s and Traditions among other restaurants and businesses.
“Most of our vendors for the fire department that deal with our air packs, fire trucks, boats, cars and turn-out gear are all kicking in stuff,” he added. “A lot of them are giving tools and equipment that firefighters carry individually.”
Firefighters in attendance from the Five Towns and surrounding areas can put in raffle tickets to win these donated items.
Chief Meyer Adler said that Wright is someone who has helped this community for many years and is a family-oriented man.
“He’s one of those guys who is a really nice person and after an interaction with him, it’s the highlight of your day,” Adler said. “When you spend time with him, he brightens everyone’s day.”
Rivelli is looking forward to a “successful day” and said people can donate without attending by visiting the LCFD website/social media and scanning the QR code or by contacting him or ex-chief Tom Foi.
“We always have each other’s backs,” Rivelli said. “We’re always going to support one another even when we’re not on the fire ground or inside a burning building, nobody gets left behind. We always make sure regardless of what goes on we have each other’s support.”
He said that even when the firefighter is no longer “here,” families know how much the firefighters care for them.
“It’s not even because Donaven were both cops in the NYPD and were both chiefs together,” he added. “It’s because we’re both brothers in the fire department. That’s what it really comes down to.”
For tickets and more information, visit www.LCFDFire.com/Wright.
