Defenders Gateway Episode 12

My name is Charlie Metzner, and I was born into a family of fighter fighters and police officers who dedicated their careers and lives to the St. Louis community. These were my role models growing up, my superheroes. I want to be just like them, and that’s something I still strive towards every single time I put on my gear and hop on that fire truck.

I joined the St. Louis fire department in 2006. It’s a calling for sure. We are all there for the same reason: to change peoples lives for the better. Fortunate to also enjoy commerary among other fellow first responders their families in the great people of St. Louis.

As more first responders and veterans work to find additional ways to provide for their families, we wanted to give our community way to support them. With a deep understanding of the culture, being first responders ourselves, we set out to create an unprecedented online resource, benefiting both business owners in the public alike. The purpose is to connect local heroes with every day people, businesses, and organizations they serve. Hiring a hero from within the network is a way of thinking that hero for their service, dedication, and sacrifice.

Our organization quickly evolved beyond an online business network. While that remains part of our primary mission, we’ve been able to make an even greater impact through our community outreach efforts, including fundraising events and supporting other organizations with similar values.

Sponsorships and donations allows to support families of fallen first responders through their darkest days. We consistently hear from these families that they not only want their loved one remembered for their service and sacrifice, but also for their bravery.

St. Louis is a special town. No other city rallies behind its local heroes like we do.

With your financial support, we’ll be able to expand our services for network members by providing scholarship funds for children of the fallen, job placements, and so much more. We’ll be able to increase our community outreach efforts and host more events that bring in critical support funds, all leading back to one cause - supporting our local heroes.

Find out more about Defenders Gateway

Download the free Defenders Gateway app