• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC

John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC

PR for Police, Fire, Schools and Municipal Government

  • About
    • About
    • Team
    • Join JGPR
    • Internships
  • Services
    • Content
    • Strategy
    • Standards
    • COVID-19 Crisis Communications
    • Work With Us
  • Our Work
    • Portfolio
    • Sectors We Serve
  • News
    • COVID-19 News
    • Client News
    • JGPR News
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

Irish American Police Officers Association Honors Boston Sparks Association with its annual Sean A. Collier Civilian Support Award

BELMONT — The Irish American Police Officers Association (IAPOA) is pleased to announce the Boston Sparks Association has earned the 2021 Sean A. Collier Civilian Support Award.

September 21, 2021 Robert Mills Client News, Fire News, Non-Profit News, Police News

September 21, 2021 by Robert Mills

For immediate release

BELMONT — The Irish American Police Officers Association (IAPOA) is pleased to announce the Boston Sparks Association has earned the 2021 Sean A. Collier Civilian Support Award.

The Boston Sparks Association was presented with the award this weekend at Florian Hall, in Boston, in recognition for tireless work the organization’s volunteers have done for years to support first responders. 

“For those who aren’t familiar with the Boston Sparks, they are the unsung heroes we’ve come to know, love and truly depend on in times of need,” said IAPOA President Bob Sweetland. “They show up to make sure our police and firefighters have food and proper hydration during major incidents. They have been our saving grace on the hottest days and coldest.” 

The Boston Sparks were recognized in particular for their work to provide support to State and local police, as well as National Guard troops, during numerous protests and  civil disturbances in Boston and surrounding communities over the past year.

Despite facing occasional risks to their own safety due to the unpredictable and often tense environments they responded to, the volunteers steadfastly refused to let law enforcement and the National Guard face those situations without the support they have come to know. On one night in particular — when most stores and businesses were closed — the Boston Sparks provided 800 sandwiches, water and Gatorade to first responders.

Volunteers from the Boston Sparks also worked to keep first responders fed, hydrated and supported in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, and at incidents large and small since then. 

“This outstanding group of volunteers is there for every major incident in Greater Boston, regardless of the time of day, the weather, or risks to their own safety,” Sweetland said. “The Boston Sparks Association has the backs of our first responders no matter what the circumstances are. This is our way of saying a heartfelt ‘Thank you.'”

The Sean A. Collier Civilian Support Award is named in memory of Officer Collier, who was known for his volunteer work in the community before he was killed by the Boston Marathon bombers in 2013. In addition to performing his duties for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department, Officer Collier served as an auxiliary police officer in Somerville for several years, worked with the homeless community, and was a supporter of the Jimmy Fund. 

The IAPOA usually holds an annual awards dinner for all honorees, but has been unable to do so for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This year the IAPOA is recognizing honorees by travelling to meet them and present the awards individually. The IAPOA is hopeful they will be able to host an in-person dinner and awards ceremony again next year.

Individuals and organizations can be nominated for awards in six categories: 

  • Valor
  • Life saving
  • Investigations
  • Meritorious service
  • Community Service
  • Humanitarian Acts

To learn more about the Boston Sparks Association, click here.

The IAPOA is a designated 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For further information or to become a member, please visit www.irishamericanpolice.org.

###

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Client News,  Fire News,  Non-Profit News,  Police News Boston Sparks Association,  fire,  irish american police officers association,  irish american police officers association award recipients,  law enforcement,  police

Primary Sidebar

Irish American Police Officers Association (IAPOA)

3 Brighton St.
Belmont, MA 02478
Media Contact: Robert Mills
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: robert@jgpr.net

Email Updates

Email info@jgpr.net if you wish to be placed on a SPECIFIC email list for your beat, agency or community. Or enter your email address here to subscribe for ALL updates from JGPR and our clients.

Join 10,549 other subscribers


Recent News

  • Methuen Police Crime Analyst Identifies Likely Sites of Catalytic Converter Thefts, Helps Prompt Warrant Arrest May 23, 2022
  • Town of Brookline Invites Community to Annual Brookline Youth Awards May 23, 2022
  • Gloucester Health Department and Cape Ann Mass in Motion Share Resources for Families Seeking Baby Formula May 23, 2022
  • Franklin County Technical School Marks Success of AP Course Offerings, Looks to Expand Program May 23, 2022
  • Ipswich Board of Health to Continue Discussion of Potential Syringe Service Program May 23, 2022

Content. Strategy. Standards.

When you need help, turn to the award-winning team at the John Guilfoil Public Relations Agency.


Contact Us Work With Us

Footer

Always Open

Call us: 617-993-0003

We’re available 24/7/365.

Location

Main Office
Northern New England

8 Prospect St.
Georgetown, MA 01833
617-993-0003

Southern New England
719 Washington St.
Canton, MA 02021
781-428-3299

Award Winning

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

Stay up-to-date with breaking JGPR client news.

Subscribe to this website

Email info@jgpr.net if you wish to be placed on a SPECIFIC email list for your beat, agency or community. Or enter your email address here to subscribe for ALL updates from JGPR and our clients.

Join 10,549 other subscribers

Copyright © 2022 John Guilfoil Public Relations, LLC Log in · Privacy Policy