The Annual Chief Nick Finamore Memorial Sporting Clays Shoot is an annual event held in Greenbelt, Maryland, at the Prince George's County Trap and Skeet Range. This gathering was inaugurated in 2023 by Members from IAFF Local 1619, and Chief Finamore's Son from IAFF Local 36 (Washington D.C.) to commemorate the life and service of Chief Nick Finamore, who tragically lost his life in the Line Of Duty in 2021. The event serves as both a tribute to Chief Finamore's dedication and a means to contribute to charitable causes close to his heart.

Key Details:

• Inception: The inaugural Chief Nick Finamore Memorial Sporting Clays Shoot took place in 2023, marking the beginning of an annual tradition.

• Location: The event is held at the Prince George's County Trap and Skeet Range in Greenbelt, Maryland. This picturesque setting provides a fitting backdrop for a day of camaraderie and remembrance.

• Honoring Chief Nick Finamore: Chief Nick Finamore's legacy is at the heart of the event, ensuring that his sacrifice and commitment to duty are never forgotten.

• Charitable Contributions: One of the defining features of the event is its commitment to supporting charitable causes. To date the Chief Nick Finamore Memorial Sporting Clays Shoot has successfully donated over $15,000 to the Prince George's County Professional Firefighters Charitable Foundation and the Washington D.C. Burn Foundations Children's Burn Camp.

• Beneficiary Organizations:

  • Prince George's County Professional Firefighters Charitable Foundation (Frank Colea Benevolent Fund):

    The Frank Colea Benevolent Fund was established in honor of Frank J. Colea, a 25 year career fire fighter with the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department. He was affectionately known as “Father Frank”, because of his unselfish and compassionate manner. Frank placed the needs of others ahead of himself.

    Frank Colea worked hard at serving his Church at St. Mary’s Parish in Landover Hills. He served his country as a soldier in the United States Army 101st Airborne.

    Frank’s dedication to his fellow fire fighters was ever present. Frank was the quiet, moral conscience of the group. He would find the good in people, even when others did not. There are many fire fighters who benefitted from his kindness and counsel. His dedication to the fire service was born at an early age with the Mount Rainier Volunteer Fire Department. As a career fire fighter and officer, Frank served in many of the busiest companies and toughest assignments in the department, including as the Executive Assistant to the Fire Chief. He earned a Fire Fighter of the Year Award for his expert direction of the rescue of a woman trapped between an elevator car and shaft in a highrise apartment building formerly located at 4300 Vermillion Drive in Oxon Hill.

    Frank Colea retired in 1992. He was soon diagnosed with cancer. As was typical of Frank, he mustered the courage to fight the disease. He endured great pain and discomfort but never complained. He lost his battle on November 18,1994.

    The Frank Colea Benevolent Fund was established by his fellow fire fighters, Tim Thornton, Tom Thornton, Joe Gallagher, the late Frank Delinski and Steve Edwards, to lend financial support to members of the Fire/EMS community. Monies from the Colea Fund have been used to assist our members and their families during times of financial strife, brought about by illness, injury or other circumstances. The Colea Fund provides a financial “life net” to assist our members and ease some of the financial burden during the toughest times of their lives.

    The Colea Fund has purchased hospital equipment for bed ridden members; helped make homes handicap accessible; purchased Christmas gifts for the children of a burned fire fighter while he was recovering in the Burn Unit; funded experimental cancer treatment for a member battling cancer; assisted with the purchase of a wheel chair accessible van for a member’s child stricken with Muscular Dystrophy and assisted the families of deceased members with bereavement expenses.

    The Frank Colea fund is a non profit 501 (c) (3) organization.

  • Washington D.C. Burn Foundation, Children's Burn Camp:

    Since 2005 the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation has provided young burn survivors from the Washington metropolitan region an opportunity to attend a one-of-a-kind summer camp. The Children’s Burn Camp is a safe, natural outdoor environment for kids ages 8 to 18 from around the world who have survived life-altering burn injuries. The remote setting creates a unique opportunity for the campers to just be kids for one week without fearing others staring at their scares, asking uncomfortable questions, or being made to feel they are different. The camp is staffed by firefighters, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and burn survivors, who volunteer almost ten days every summer to make this camp a success. Firefighters from DC to Maine raise the funds to keep this camp free for all campers and their families. The DC Firefighters Burn Foundation even provides transportation and basic needs such as pillows and sleeping bags for the kids from the Washington metropolitan region.

    Founded in 2004, the D.C. Firefighters Burn Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization established by active and retired Washington, D.C. Firefighters. The Foundation is dedicated to assisting in the recovery and rehabilitation of injured firefighters and burn survivors from the Washington metropolitan region. We support burn research, treatment, and rehabilitation programs at Washington Hospital Center and Children’s National Medical Center (CNMC).

Impact and Community Involvement: The Chief Nick Finamore Memorial Sporting Clays Shoot goes beyond being a memorial event; it actively engages the community in honoring Chief Finamore's memory while making a positive impact on the lives of those supported by the beneficiary organizations.

As the event continues to grow, it serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of Chief Nick Finamore and the collective commitment of the community to uphold his legacy through acts of remembrance and generosity.

This annual sporting clays shoot not only celebrates Chief Nick Finamore's life but also stands as a symbol of resilience, unity, and compassion within the community it serves.

 

Contact Information - 

Email - nickfinamorememorial@gmail.com