This morning, former Royals Pitcher Jaime Bluma, Principal at the non
profit Red, White & Bluma, presented a $5,000 check to Kansas City Fire
Chief Donna Maize on behalf of S.A.F.E., the Surviving Spouse and Family
Endowment.
S.A.F.E. provides funds as a stop-gap between when a first responder’s
salary stops due to a line of duty injury or death and the time benefits
start up. “Those families are having to deal with the immediacy of their
loved ones injury or passing and S.A.F.E. provides funds to those
families to meet whatever expenses they might have” said Fire Chief
Donna Maize who accepted the check on behalf of S.A.F.E.

For Bluma, it’s all about giving back. “I didn’t make a ton of money
playin ball back then“ said Bluma. “ I wanted to start my own non-profit
to help out some local military and first responder organizations here
in Kansas City that people are tied to.”

Today’s check is a result of funds raised at the annual Bluma-Palooza
festival held each October at the Stone Gate Motor Plaza in Stillwell,
Kansas. The benefit features hot rods, custom bikes, and entertainment such regional musical artists Minor
Rewind and Noe Palma. Palma, a Kansas City, Missouri Firefighter headlines the show every year was excited about being a part of today’s check presentation.

“Jaime always has a great show and its always a great time playin for
that crowd” said Palma. “It’s a great event that raises funds for S.A.F.E
and Folds of Honor”.

Next year’s event is slated for the first weekend in October.