Woodard’s 3rd Annual BackStoppers Raffle

As a proud supporter of The BackStoppers, Woodard holds an annual raffle in which 100% of the proceeds go to The BackStoppers organization, who helps the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our safety.

The BackStoppers started in 1959 providing financial assistance and support to the spouses and dependent children for all police officers, firefighters and volunteer firefighters, and publicly-funded paramedics and EMTs in our area who have lost their lives or suffered catastrophic injury while performing their duty. Since 1959 they have supported 159 families and currently support 88 families and 66 children.

“When a police officer, firefighter, or publicly-funded paramedic or EMT is catastrophically injured in the line of duty, The BackStoppers assists the first responder and their family with one or more significant payments.  The funds received by the catastrophically injured first responder may be used for medical expenses, major updates to the family home to make it accessible, and other needs the family may have. “– Elizabeth Battale, The BackStoppers Inc.

The BackStoppers organization has recently provided assistance and support for our local St. Louis heroes. Officer Mike Flamion of the Ballwin Police Department, who was catastrophically injured in the line of duty on July 8th, 2016, has been provided support and assistance from The BackStoppers. Officer Craig Tudor of the Hazelwood Police Deparment, who was also catastrophically injured in the line of duty on August 25th, 2016 is also recieving support and assistance from the organization. This pasy year the organization began providing assistance to three families; the family of Officer Ronald Strittmatter of the Lakeshire Police Department who suffered a heart attack at home the previous year on January 3, 2015 following a shift during which he was on multiple calls, the family of Paramedic Jonathan Noce of the Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District who died in the line of duty on May 25, 2016, and the family of Officer Blake Snyder of the St. Louis County Police Department, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on October 6, 2016.

The BackStoppers not only provide immediate assistance, but ongoing assistance.

“We assist immediately by providing $5,000 to the surviving family to be used for whatever they may need.  We then provide ongoing assistance to the surviving spouse and dependent children.  We reimburse for out-of-pocket medical expenses and provide assistance for tuition from day care to university, health and dental insurance, and other extraordinary expenses.” – Elizabeth Battale, The BackStoppers Inc.

When one purchases a raffle ticket from Woodard’s 3nd annual raffle, 100% of the proceeds will go to this one-of-a-kind organization to support the families of fallen heroes. Last year we raised $37,000 and this year we’ve raised our goal in hopes to hit $50,000! We ask that our friends, family, and community help us achieve this goal by purchasing a raffle ticket. One ticket is $10 or 6 for $50! All of the proceeds raised from our raffle will be donated to The BackStoppers.