A year ago, the Warren County BackStoppers group surpassed its wildest expectations when $30,000 was raised at the first dinner dance, doubling the initial fundraising goal set. The bar was set - and remains - high. Marthasville Fire Chief Jeff Backhaus, who serves as the president of the local BackStoppers committee, is hopeful for another big turnout at this year's event. He has set a goal of $40,000 to help families mourning the loss of an emergency responder while on duty. The second annual Warren County BackStoppers Dinner Dance will be held Saturday, Feb. 18, at the St. Ignatius Community Center in Concord Hill. The event will include a buffet-style dinner from 6-7:30 p.m. and a dance featuring the band Phase Five from 8 p.m.-midnight. "I think it will be a huge success," Backhaus said. A silent and oral auction will be held from 6-9:30 p.m. and will feature donated items from local businesses. Tickets are $25 per person and are available by calling Warrenton Fire Protection District Station 1 at 636-456-8935 or Backhaus at 636-667-3434. Monetary or auction items also can be donated by calling either number. Only 400 tickets will be sold. As of Tuesday, approximately 200 tickets had been purchased, Backhaus said. Sponsorships also are available ranging from $50 to $1,000. Backhaus said a sponsor book will be printed highlighting all sponsors. In addition, any business or individual's sponsorship greater than $250 will be displayed on a sign at the event. Ameren Missouri has committed to sponsoring the dinner, according to Backhaus. "We hope to see everyone there," he said. "We hope they come out to support a great event. We're doing it for a good cause." Backhaus and other committee members, who represent emergency responder agencies throughout the county, heard nothing but positive remarks following last year's fundraiser. "Everybody, young and old, both came up to you and said how good it was and how great a time they had," he said. "They enjoyed it. It made us feel good about our efforts and what we were doing. People accepted it so well. They really supported it. Our expectations were blown out of the water." BackStoppers provides support and financial assistance to the spouses and children of local and county police officers, firefighters, publicly funded paramedics and EMTS, and volunteer fire protection units who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The assistance includes paying for school, a family's mortgage, health and dental coverage, and college tuition. The organization assists families in 13 counties in Missouri, including Warren and Franklin, and five in Illinois. Two families with Warren County ties are benefiting from the BackStoppers organization. Paul Fricke, a Warren County deputy and Hawk Point police chief, was killed Aug. 27, 2010, while on duty. He was driving south on Highway 47 exiting Hawk Point when he lost control of his police cruiser and struck a utility pole. He was pronounced dead at the scene. In October 2002, Truesdale police officer Vernon Seals was killed after being struck by a vehicle that was being chased by other officers on Interstate 70. Paintings of both fallen officers were on display at last year's dinner dance.