Okaloosa County BOCC — July 15, 2014 — Emerald Coast Bar Wars fundraiser 092814 fee waiver request — reading text

Emerald Coast Bar Wars Coordinator Nathaniel Webster 312B Woodland Ave Mary Esther, FL 32569 Phone: 850-259-1912 E-Mail: ecbarwars@gmail.com 24 June 2014 Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners C/O Sheri Whitman 1759 South Ferdon Blvd } Crestview, FL 32536 / Dear Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners: My name is Nate Webster. Iam a firefighter/paramedic at Okaloosa Island Fire Department and I am currently coordinating a charity event titled “Bar Wars” through the Emerald Coast Professional Firefighters Council. Some of you may remember this | event from several years back. It was coordinated through the council to raise money for the MDA. I wanted to bring this charity event back with proceeds to benefit local families in need. This year we will be raising money for a local four-year-old boy, Andy Rukse, who was severely burned last December when a gas can exploded. This explosion caused third degree burns to Andy’s chest, neck and arm. Andy was hospitalized for some time with a long road to recovery in front of him. Andy and his parents currently make frequent trips to Augusta, GA for multiple surgeries and follow-ups. Andy and his family have undergone a lot of trauma and stress not to mention a severe financial impact. We are trying to raise as much money as we can for the Rukse family through the “Andy Rukse Fund” that we have started through the council. To maximize the funds going to the family, I am asking for the Board to consider waiving the special event permit fees for Bar Wars. Sincerely, Nathaniel Webster Emerald Coast Professional Firefighters Council | | lappreciate your consideration and your time in this matter. Bar Wars Coordinator