One Person Inspires Action
January 6, 2014
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| CSO Joe Kleiman, Manager John McKiernan, CEO/Founder Matt Herfield, President of Sales Shane Power |
A demonstration of the spirit of giving in 2013 and of new beginnings in 2014
It was an unimaginable tragedy. Heart-rending because of the number of lives lost in the small community of Prescott, Arizona. On June 30th, when the first responders from the fire department in Prescott, known as the Granite Mountain Hotshots, answered the call and headed for Yarnell, where a brush fire had broken out down a remote mountainside, no one could have anticipated the devastating consequences to follow.
On the West Coast, John McKiernan, listened to the news that day as reports trickled in, that 19 elite and highly experienced firefighters had been reported lost in that Arizona mountain blaze. His heart sank with each report, as his thoughts turned to his two brothers, both involved with fire departments on the West Coast. This could have easily been his family going through the nightmare scenario to follow, as the families of the 19 men were being notified.
Shaken by the catastrophic loss of life, John was unable to stop thinking about what lay ahead for the wives, sisters, brothers, mothers and children of the fallen firefighters. He decided to turn his grief into action with the support of
Watertree Health’s senior officers, including CEO & founder Matt Herfield, and the entire group of West Coast reps who quickly mounted a fundraising initiative as a show of respect to the 19 brave men, and the families they left behind.
It would have been easy to simply collect the monies, totaling $18,000, and end the effort by sending a check to the firefighters fund. A feel good act in deed, and something that all employees of
Watertree Health would have been proud of, especially as it was nearing the Christmas season and the end of the year. But the thought among
Watertree Health’s senior officers, including McKiernan, was that the gesture would mean more, if a personal visit to Prescott could be arranged as a show of respect to the community and its loss.
Ray Maione, Vice President of Members Services for Local 493, the firefighters union in Prescott, welcomed the idea of a visit by the
Watertree Health executives. It seemed everyone affiliated with the fire department in Prescott felt the same.
On Thursday, December 19th, John McKiernan, Matt Herfield, Shane Power and Joe Kleiman arrived in Scottsdale and were escorted to Prescott by Charles Cicconi, a representative of Local 493. The men were welcomed in Prescott by Fire Capt. J.P. Vicente who took the four visitors to the burial site where all 19 fallen firefighters had been laid to rest, and the site of a future memorial in their honor.
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| J.P. Vicente, J. McKiernan, M. Herfield, S. Power, J, Kleiman, and C. Cicconi |
As a symbol of the company’s heartfelt condolences, the
Watertree Health team placed a wreath on behalf of the organization’s employees, at the top of the hill where the graves sit.
The team spent a good deal of time getting a sense of who these brave men were, from Capt. Vicente, as they paid their respect at each individual gravesite.
There was Andrew Ashcraft, the ruggedly handsome jokester, skateboarder, husband and father of four, who was also an applesauce aficionado. And Robert Caldwell, the 23-year-old who took on the mantle of a man with all of its risks, and loved it. Each man’s story was touching in its own way.
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| Andrew's grave |
Gravesites in Prescott
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| CEO Matt Herfield reads tributes laid at graves |
Following the gravesite visit, Capt. Vicente arranged a tour of the firehouse that was once home to the 19 Hotshots. There, the
Watertree Health team presented the department with a check representing the funds raised by the West Coast reps. The generosity that brought
Watertree Health to Prescott was paid back tenfold by the kindness of the folks who welcomed the team at each of the several locations they visited, including the Salvation Army headquarters readying the distribution of gift bags for the most needy residents of Prescott.
(L-R) Matt Herfield, Joe Kleiman, Shane Power, John McKiernan hold presentation check
Watertree Health officials surrounded by members of firefighters union during presentation of funds raised by West Coast reps
No question, the visit to Prescott is a memory that will remain with the
Watertree Health executives for years to come. And one that truly spoke of the spirit of the holidays, for even as they mourned their loss, the people in Prescott remained generous of spirit, and full of fellowship, which they imparted on the visitors. A perfect way to end one year and celebrate the start of a new one.
Members of Local 493 and members of the fire department greet Watertree Health executives
Watertree Health executives are given a tour of the local Salvation Army preparations, to deliver gift bags to needy community residents
Matt Herfield and Joe Kleiman at one of the many tributes of remembrance honoring the 19 Hotshots
Watertree Health officials outside the Prescott Fire Department, a fitting end to a memorable day. The statue honors all firefighters “across this great nation”
Two and a half years later...
The above write up recalls the story that prompted today's visit. There isn't much left for me to say about what was done, but it was my turn to say THANK YOU!!! This incredible organization is made up of charitable and genuinely thoughtful people. We were blessed to meet with the CEO and Founder, Matt, today and express our gratitude to him for his kindness to us.
We made our way through the historic and gorgeous building where his office is located.
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| Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Juliann |
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| Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Juliann |
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| Shiloh, Tate, Ryder, Choice, and Juliann |
Matt greeted us in the conference room and immediately welcomed us with open arms. He is a parent of one, expecting number two, and that was apparent in the tender way he interacted with the kids.
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| Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Matt |
We sat around the conference room table and discussed "Be Better" as if at a business meeting. :-)
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| Shiloh, Matt, Ryder, Tate, Juliann, and Choice |
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| Ryder, Matt, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice |
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| Choice, Ryder, Matt, Shiloh, Tate, and Juliann |
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| Ryder, Matt and Shiloh |
The kids were anxious to give Matt the handmade thank you cards they'd prepared for him.
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| Ryder, Matt, and Shiloh |
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| Ryder, Matt, Shiloh, and Juliann |
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| Ryder, Tate, Matt, Shiloh, and Juliann |
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| Choice, Ryder, Tate, Matt, Shiloh, and Juliann |
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| Choice, Ryder, Tate, Matt, and Shiloh |
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| Choice, Ryder, Tate, Matt, Shiloh, and Juliann |
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| Ryder, Tate, Matt, Shiloh, and Juliann |
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| Ryder, Choice, Tate, Matt, Shiloh, and Juliann |
Just as I was thinking that we made it through the visit without any naughty behavior, I saw Choice out of the corner of my eye playing with the office equipment. He just simply can't help himself. Hopefully it is foreshadowing of his life as a corporate executive. :-)
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| Choice, Ryder, and Tate |
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| Choice |
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| Choice and Ryder |
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| Choice, Ryder, Tate, and Matt |
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| Choice and Tate |
Or perhaps that'll be more suitable for Ryder...
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| Ryder |
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| Matt, Shiloh, and Juliann |
Thank you so much Matt, not only for making time for us to pop by and see you today, but for the great lengths you went to in order to bless our family during our time of tragedy. Your company should be commended for the thoughtfulness and values you personify. God bless you and all who work with you in your exceptional organization.
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| Tate, Shiloh, Matt, Ryder, Choice, and Juliann |
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| Shiloh, Tate, Matt, Ryder, Choice, and Juliann |
When exiting the Water Tree Health Office, you are right in front of Grand Central Station.
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Choice, Ryder, Juliann, Shiloh, and Tate
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| Ryder, Shiloh, Juliann, Tate, and Choice |
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| Grand Central Station Terminal |
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| Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Juliann |
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| Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Juliann |
Following our visit with Matt, we headed over to see another pillar of strength that towers over the city. This of course being our lady liberty. While we were waiting for our Uber ride to pick us up, we had a little fun messing around in the big apple.
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| Shiloh |
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| Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, Juliann, and Choice |
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| Ryder, Tate, Juliann, and Shiloh |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, Tate, and Juliann |
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| Choice, Juliann, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder |
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| Shiloh, Juliann, Choice, Ryder, and Tate |
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| Tate |
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| Juliann, Ryder, and Tate |
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| Tate |
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| Choice |
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| Tate and Choice |
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| Tate and Choice |
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| Choice, Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh |
We made it to the ferry to catch our ride to the Statue of Liberty. Much to our surprise, a live rendition of the statue was right there on the landing.
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| Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Ryder with Statue of Liberty Character |
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| Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Ryder with Statue of Liberty Character |
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| Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Ryder with Statue of Liberty Character |
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| Tate, Shiloh, Choice, Ryder, and Juliann with Statue of Liberty character |
With Ryder navigating us to the right pick up location, we boarded the ferry.
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| Ryder |
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| Juliann and Choice |
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| Shiloh looking at the Statue of Liberty |
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| Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice looking at the Statue of Liberty |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, and Jason |
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| Choice and Tate |
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| Choice and Tate |
The magnificence of lady liberty NEVER gets old to me. When walking towards her, I am filled with introspection. What am I doing to stand tall for what I believe in?
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| Lady Liberty |
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| Jason and Juliann |
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| Tate, Shiloh, Choice, Ryder, and Juliann |
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| Tate, Shiloh, Choice, Ryder, and Juliann |
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| Tate, Shiloh, Choice, Ryder, and Juliann |
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| Ryder, Choice, Tate, and Shiloh |
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| Juliann and Jason |
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| Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, Jason, and Tate |
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| Tate, Choice, Shiloh, Juliann and Ryder |
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| Tate |
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| Juliann |
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| Juliann |
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| Shiloh |
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| Ryder |
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| Choice |
It also allows for an outside view of the city from a distance.
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| Choice and Jason |
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| Choice and Jason |
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| Shiloh |
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| Choice, Tate, and Jason |
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| Ryder |
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| Choice, Ryder, and Shiloh |
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| Shiloh, Tate, Choice, and Ryder |
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| Shiloh, Tate, Choice, and Ryder |
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| Tate, Shiloh, Choice, Ryder, and Juliann |
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| Choice |
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| Tate, Shiloh, Choice, Ryder, and Juliann |
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| Juliann, Ryder, Choice, Tate, and Shiloh |
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| Juliann, Ryder, Choice, Tate, and Shiloh |
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| Juliann, Ryder, Choice, Tate, and Shiloh |
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| Shiloh |
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| NYC |
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| Shiloh and Ryder |
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| Choice, Juliann, Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate |
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| Choice, Juliann, Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate |
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| NYC |
Inside the museum we were able to gather a wealth of knowledge about the Statue of Liberty. I am always thankful for teaching moments along the trip, especially those wherein the kids are really paying attention. That was definitely the case here today.
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| Ryder |
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| Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Juliann |
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| Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Juliann |
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| Jason and Juliann |
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| Choice, Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Juliann |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, and Juliann |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, and Juliann |
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| Choice, Tate, and Shiloh |
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| Choice |
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| Juliann and Ryder |
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| Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice |
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| Ryder and Tate |
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| Tate |
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| Ryder and Tate |
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| Juliann |
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| Choice, Tate, Juliann, Ryder, and Shiloh |
This did not complete our time with the Statue of Liberty today. We had the unique privilege of going inside the statue.
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| Shiloh, Juliann, Tate, and Ryder |
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| Juliann, Choice, Ryder, and Shiloh |
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| Choice, Juliann, Shiloh, Ryder, Tate, and Jason |
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| Tate, Juliann, Choice, Shiloh, and Ryder |
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| Tate, Choice, Juliann, Shiloh, and Ryder |
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| Tate, Juliann, Choice, Shiloh, and Ryder |
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| Jason and Shiloh |
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| Ryder, Tate, and Juliann |
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| Ryder, Tate, and Juliann |
We made our way down the Statue of Liberty. This was a little less organized...
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| Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder |
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| Choice, Juliann, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder |
So much so that I contemplating recycling this little monster.
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| Choice and Juliann |
Instead, we hopped on the ferry and made our way back toward the bus.
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| Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice |
Bye lady liberty...
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| Ryder,m Tate, Shiloh, Juliann, and Choice |
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| Juliann, Shiloh, Tate, Choice, and Ryder |
We reached the finish line for the day. The kids did an amazing job keeping up with a busy day in the big city.
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| Ryder and Shiloh |
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| Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder |
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| Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder |
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| Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder |
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| Tate |
Clearly, it wasn't them who felt the most worn out by the day. It's true that I may fall asleep at the drop of a hat but it makes for more time to reminisce and dream. Tonight I will reminisce about the great visit we shared with Matt from WaterTree Health, and I will dream of the valor, strength, and meaning embodied by our lady liberty. Goodnight.
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| Juliann and Choice |
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