BackStoppers

BackStoppers is a Greater St. Louis area charity that provides financial and emotional support to the families of public safety workers that have died while on duty. The organization makes mortgage and car payments, pays off debt, and defrays the expense of higher education. In addition, each family gets a "friend of the family" volunteer to stay in touch.

Eleven businessmen formed BackStoppers in 1959. The charity spends about $1 million annually, currently supporting 47 families, including one of an officer killed in action in 1964. The group's largest fundraiser is an annual boxing contest between firefighters and police officers known as Guns 'N Hoses. Anheuser-Busch, which is based in St. Louis, is the primary sponsor of the event.

Sources

• Christine Byers, Families of the fallen reflect on BackStoppers' legacy, 50 years, St. Louis Post-Dispatch November 25, 2009.

• Ann Rubin, Guns N' Hoses event raising money for Backstoppers charity, KSDK November 26, 2009.

• Anheuser-Busch, wholesalers give $83,000 to BackStoppers, St. Louis Business Journal November 23, 2009.