Golf tournament, free concert to benefit firefighter families
Tamarack Ridge Band performs June 6 at the Club at Prairie Falls Stage Takeover. The band will play a benefit concert Monday to generate support for the families of the firefighters killed and injured in the June 29 Canfield Mountain tragedy. The day will also include a golf tournament and silent auction.
Courtesy photo
POST FALLS — The "Hearts for Heroes" concert and golf tournament will take place Monday at the Club at Prairie Falls.
Support from the event will go through the Red and Blue Foundation to the families of fallen Coeur d'Alene Fire Battalion Chief John Morrison and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and injured Coeur d'Alene Fire engineer David Tysdal, who were attacked as they responded to a brush fire June 29 on Canfield Mountain.
Tamarack Ridge Band will donate the full concert performance.
"As a former law enforcement officer and a former school superintendent, we’ve both seen firsthand the courage and sacrifice of our first responders," Rico Gallarza and Lynette Cheri' of Tamarack Ridge Band said Tuesday in a joint statement. "After the tragic loss and injuries sustained by local firefighters on Canfield Mountain, we felt called to do something to help heal and uplift our community."
The benefit was created to show support, express gratitude and unite the community while honoring the courage of first responders.
"This event is not just about raising funds — it’s about standing together in strength, resilience and appreciation," Gallarza and Cheri' said.
The day will begin with a silent auction that opens at 9 a.m. for viewing and bidding.
Check-in for the sold-out golf tournament, which will be played by 144 participants on 36 teams, is at 10 a.m. with shotgun at 11 a.m.
People can come and go all day as they participate in the silent auction, Prairie Falls events manager Frankie De Artola said, but doors open to the public after the golf tournament at 5 p.m. The concert is free. Suggested donations will be accepted.
“That all goes back to the Red and Blue Foundation for the families,” De Artola said. "Tamarack Ridge reached out for a venue to do something because (Rico) is previous law enforcement, so he came to me and said, ‘Do you want to do something for the families?’ and I said, 'Absolutely.'"
With quick approval from the boss, event organizing was underway.
"We brainstormed and within 24 hours we had a plan," De Artola said.
Guests are welcome to bring beach blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the concert. The Prairie Falls restaurant will be closed during the event.
"We'd like to give a shoutout to Allklean because they're going to cover everybody’s food that night so people who come to the concert won’t have to pay for any food," De Artola said. "They’re going to foot the bill.”
Hwy 95 Events will donate the stage, Anchored Coffee and the Red and Blue Foundation will be contributing their support, 93.7 the Mountain Radio will donate broadcasting to promote the event and Warpath Fireworks will donate the fireworks show after the concert. Prairie Falls will donate 50% of golf tournament registrations and 100% of sponsorship, online, silent auction and concert proceeds.
The Club at Prairie Falls is at 3200 N. Spokane St., Post Falls.
Visit prairiefallsgolfclub.com for donation and RSVP information.