18th Annual Behind the Flames Dinner

Make plans now to celebrate the heroic Scottsdale Firefighters and the charities they support on Sunday, September 30th, at the 18th annual Behind the Flames Scottsdale Firefighter Charities Dinner at Dominick’s Steakhouse. We’ve shared about this event before based on the amazing work that they do here in the Valley.

As part of the evening the Scottsdale Firefighters Association will also present the Scottsdale Firefighter of the Year Award and honor C.A.R.E. Award recipients Grant Woods, Pastor Warren Stewart and Jerry Colangelo. The award is to recognize individuals for Contributing to Achievement and Redefining Excellence.

The 2018 Behind the Flames cocktail hour begins at 5pm, followed by dinner from Dominick’s Steakhouse that features prime steaks, seafood and signature dishes at 6pm.  Dominick’s Steakhouse is located in the Scottsdale Quarter at 15169 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale.

The Scottsdale Firefighter Association is honored to welcome Grant Woods, Pastor Warren Stewart and Jerry Colangelo as the featured speakers and guests of honor.

As the former Attorney General of Arizona from 1991 until 1999, Grant Woods is one of Arizona’s most acclaimed and successful lawyers. His career is legendary, with record jury verdicts and settlements in the toughest cases.  He successfully argued Lewis v. Casey before the United States Supreme Court and was one of the principal architects of the states’ lawsuits against the tobacco companies and was a key negotiator in the resulting largest civil settlement in history. Since his time as Attorney General, tobacco use in Arizona has plummeted. Woods also served as John McCain’s Chief of Staff and was recently featured in an HBO Special about McCain’s life.

Jerry Colangelo is currently a special adviser to the Philadelphia 76ers. He became the youngest general manager in professional sports in 1968 after being hired as general manager for the Phoenix Suns. Colangelo is the former owner of Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Sandsharks, Arizona Rattlers and the Arizona Diamondbacks.  In 1992, Colangelo founded the Arena Football League’s Arizona Rattlers and owned them until 2005. Colangelo was also instrumental in the relocation of the original Winnipeg Jets team in the NHL to Phoenix to become the Phoenix Coyotes (now the Arizona Coyotes).  He has the second longest tenure running the same NBA franchise, exceeded only by Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics and in 2014, Grand Canyon University renamed its Christian based school of business after Jerry Colangelo.

Charities benefiting from the 2018 Behind the Flames dinner include Vista Del Camino Food Bank, Scottsdale Prevention Institute, Scottsdale Gateway Alliance, Scottsdale Foothills Animal Rescue, City of Scottsdale Youth Deployment, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk.

Single tickets are available for $150, and there are three sponsorship donations available for purchase as well.  The Title Sponsorship for $10,000 offers a table for ten and all refreshments, the Signature Sponsorship for $5,000 offers a table for eight and all refreshments, and the Partner Sponsorship for $2,500 offers a table for eight and all refreshments.  Seats have sold out in the past, so those interested are encouraged to reserve their spots early.

Can’t make the 2018 Behind the Flames dinner but still want to suppotr this great cause? You can send checks to United Scottsdale Firefighters Charities, PO Box 14935, Scottsdale AZ 85267.  To confirm your donation, please contact Pete Tocco at 602.799.9543 or ptocco@scottsdalefirefighters.org.