California Fraternal Order of Eagles Donates Funds to Children of Local Fallen Firefighters
(San Pablo, CA) December 6, 2007-- The Fraternal Order of Eagles are making a donation to the children of two Contra Costa firefighters killed in the line of duty.
Capt. Matt Burton, 34, of Concord, and engineer Scott Desmond, 37, of Brentwood, both of the Contra Costa County Fire District, valiantly risked their lives while trying to rescue Delbert and Gayle Moore, trapped in a house fire in their Montalvin Manor home on July 21 of this year. The two firefighters leave behind three children between them, Burton, two children, 10 and 7; and Desmond, one child, 2.
The San Pablo Eagles will give each family a $5,000 check in memory of their brave fathers in a ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 5 p.m. at the Eagles Hall, located at 2100 Rivers St., in San Pablo.
The San Pablo F.O.E. strongly practices the organization's motto, "People Helping People," by its support of the families involved in this tragedy. On Aug. 26, the San Pablo Eagles held a special memorial to honor the Moores and the firefighters who lost their lives in the fire. More than $6,000 was raised that day, in addition to $15,000 donated by the Grand Aerie -- the national Eagles organization -- as well as $2,400 that was donated by the Las Vegas F.O.E. #1213.
Delbert and Gayle Moore were longtime members of the San Pablo Eagles aerie. Gayle was involved with the F.O.E. ladies??? auxiliary for more than 49 years. As a third generation Eagle member, Gayle participated in the Eagles as a charter member of the "35" Club in San Pablo, participated on various committees for charties and events, and also contributed greatly at the state level, where she held the offices of State Chaplain, Vice President, and most notably, 2006 California Madam State President. Delbert and Gayle Moore were parents to three children and four grandchildren.
San Pablo F.O.E. aerie #3028 was chartered in 1950 and is home to more than 350 aerie and 300 auxiliary members. The San Pablo Eagles donate thousands annually to local and national charities, including heart, cancer and Alzheimer's research.
For more information about the San Pablo F.O.E. donation to the Burton and Desmond families or to become a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, please contact Devere Dunham, at 510-724-5792.
About the Fraternal Order of Eagles
The Fraternal Order of Eagles, an international non-profit organization, unites fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills, and by promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope. Founded in 1898, the Eagles fund research in areas such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and cancer, and raise money for neglected and abused children and the aged, as well as work for social and civic change. The Eagles donate more than $100 million annually to charities and individuals throughout the United States and Canada.
