By Cindy GladdenRecord Staff WriterFundraising from this year’s Warren County BackStoppers dinner/dance hit an all-time mark.The local group presented a check for $70,000 to BackStoppers Executive Director Ron Battelle last week. Since forming in 2011, $250,000 has been raised at the annual fundraiser. This year’s dinner dance was held in February.BackStoppers was founded in 1959 to support the families of emergency personnel who have died in the line of duty. In Missouri, more than 70 families benefit from funds raised by local groups.One hundred percent of the money will support surviving family members.“Warren County is a prime example of fundraising,” said Battelle, a retired St. Louis County police chief.Five years ago, Marthasville Fire Chief Jeff Backhaus decided to organize Warren County’s first fundraiser to benefit BackStoppers. The goal of $10,000 was exceeded, totaling $30,000.“The support from the citizens of our area is outstanding,” said Backhaus. “To date, we have raised a quarter of a million dollars in five years.”The group’s success may be explained by the dedication of its board of directors, all representing first responders agencies or businesses in the county.Fire departments include Marthasville, Wright City and Warrenton. The Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Warren County Ambulance, Marthasville Ambulance and the Warrenton Police Department also are represented.Three members represent business interests in every corner of the county, helping to spur other companies to be involved.All families who lose a loved one receive an immediate $5,000 death benefit.“The objective is to help them become debt free,” said Battelle. “We pay off their credit cards, mortgage, bills and provide long-term education benefits for the spouse and children.”BackStoppers supports 13 Missouri counties, five Illinois counties and the city of St. Louis. Sixty-two children are represented in the survivor group. Three families with Warren County ties are benefiting from the organization.Backhaus said the organizers have been stunned by the success, and said the community support has made the difference.“We have had bigger and better donations, lots of advertising dollars and donations of auction items,” he said. “We’ve found that if you provide them with a party with food and music, they will show up.”Backhaus gives a lot of credit to committee members.“I give them a lot of thanks,” he said. “There are a lot of workhorses under me.”“There is a lot of satisfaction in supporting your police, fire and ambulance officers and their families,” said Battelle. “The support we’ve seen in Warren County is something we’ve never dreamed of.”The next BackStoppers’ fundraising event will be held Feb. 20, 2016. The group will begin selling T-shirts within the next month.Donations are accepted all year long by emailing Backhaus at chief2100@marthasvillefire.org.

ALL GOALS SURPASSED — The Warren County BackStoppers fundraising committee present a check for $70,000 to Ron Battelle, executive director. The next dinner dance and auction will be held Febrary 20, 2016. Pictured, front row from left, are Linda Gant, Lulu Hasenjaeger, Chris McCormick, Battelle, Jeff Backhaus, Carole Fallert, and Kevin Harrison. Back row, from left, are Pam Backhaus, Terry Thweatt, Frank Steurmann, Mike Owenby and Ralph Hellebusch.

Cindy Gladden Photo.