WE CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU! Our ability to help assist first responders and their families, as well as nonprofit organizations positively impacting the lives of children, greatly relies on donations from our generous partners and friends in the greater Charlotte area. DONATE TODAY!

Thank you also to all of our partners, without whom this storied game would not be possible.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 18th Annual Charlotte Salute to Heroes Hockey Game! An awesome crowd came out to support our local heroes and see team CFD/Medic take home the cup with a 7-2 victory over CMPD. Special thanks to all of our partners, and to Bojangles Coliseum for hosting another memorable event!

5050 RAFFLE
The Salute to Heroes 5050 Raffle winning ticket was 12198!
Thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets to support our hereos!

MEDIA
Professional Video and Photography requests: Salute to Heroes Charlotte Foundation events require prior approval for Professional Video and Photography equipment at any event hosted by the foundation. For any media requests, please contact Marc Bochicchio - marc.bochicchio2005@gmail.com

Congratulations to CMPD for winning the 6th Annual Heroes Bowl Lacrosse Tournament!

We are so grateful for this partnership with Stick With Us Foundation, and thank both Mike and Sue Desmond for their continued generosity. Stay up to date on future events at stickwithus.org.

Captain Michelle Hummel returned to the Appalachian Trail in September 2022 for her second section hike! In 2021, Captain Hummel hiked 1,300 miles and raised $10,000 for Charlotte-area charities near and dear to her heart. In total, she's now hiked 1,500 miles, starting in Pennsylvania on this trip and making her way through New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

Captain Hummel plans to do the rest of the Appalachian Trail in segments, so click here for updates. While you're at it, learn more about this epic journey and make a donation on her GoFundMe page.

May 2020 - Present

Salute to Heroes Charlotte Inc. is a 501-C(3) non-profit organization formerly known as Great Balls of Fire Inc. In May 2020, the foundation's name changed to align more closely with the organization's growth. While the foundation's mission - supporting first responders and their families in times of need - has not changed, the COVID-19 pandemic brought additional opportunities to help support our Frontline Heroes.

Our annual Charlotte Salute to Heroes Charity Hockey match continues to serve as our main fundraising event, However, we have partnered to help create other events and programs that support Frontline Heroes.


Partnership with Mecklenburg EMS

Feed the Frontline Mecklenburg was created by Mecklenburg EMS in partnership with Salute to Heroes Charlotte Inc. (Great Balls of Fire Inc.) and Charlotte Salute to Heroes Hockey. The mission was to provide on-duty meals to Heroes serving on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to feed every public safety member or support staff in Mecklenburg County at least once. In addition to feeding first responders, the program has helped to coordinate meals for other Frontline Heroes - doctors, nurses, and other various medical professionals and support staff.

The program has a huge impact on the business community as well. We purchase meals from local restaurants at full price to support these businesses and their team members who have all been impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Truly, this has been a win-win situation.


Partnership with Firehouse Subs

Feed the Truckers was the creation of Tim Goss with Firehouse Subs. Goss and Firehouse Subs asked to create a partnership during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to provide coordination and volunteers for events at North Carolina weigh stations. When truckers pull in their vehicles to be weighed, volunteers provide the truckers with complementary box lunches and beverages. Truckers are real Heroes. Without them, our country's essential supplies - food, water, medicines and more - would not reach our communities in their time of need.


Prior to May 2020

Great Balls of Fire Inc., founded by Officer Danny Graham in late 2006, had one mission: to assist sworn public safety personnel with financial need due to injury or illness. Inspiration for the creation of the organization came after a friend, Officer John Pou, was paralyzed from the chest down in a tragic accident in June 2005. As medical expenses mounted, the financial drain on the Pou family became burdensome and officers sought a way to offer financial assistance to the family. The Great Balls of Fire Charitable Foundation was born.

In 2017 Great Balls of Fire Inc. became the primary Foundation for the Annual Charlotte Heroes Hockey Game. The Foundation now supports sworn public safety members and their families in both North and South Carolina. In addition to helping public safety members and families, the Foundation supports other accredited 501-C(3) Foundations that assist public safety and military families in need.

Through the help of various organizations and countless volunteers, we've been able to assist a number of public safety families in their time of need without them asking for help. Click here to see some of the organizations and foundations the game supports. On behalf of Charlotte Heroes Hockey, we thank you for your interest and support.

For more information, contact Marc Bochicchio:
marc.bochicchio2005@gmail.com | 704-819-6725

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