CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- This weekend marks one year since Volunteer Pineville Firefighter Richard Sheltra died fighting a fire at a golf store on Pineville-Matthews Road.
On Saturday morning family members and the community remembered Sheltra in a positive way, with the Richard Sheltra 5K and 10K events.
Gorgeous morning in Pineville #Sheltra5k pic.twitter.com/U4YXgfRDNC
— Diana Rugg (@DianaRuggOnTV) April 29, 2017
Richard Sheltra's parents hold hands before the #Sheltra10k. Money raised supports other firefighters in their son's memory @wcnc pic.twitter.com/nFpHTzjtKV
— Diana Rugg (@DianaRuggOnTV) April 29, 2017
The runs raise money for the Richard Sheltra Foundation, to provide equipment and training to firefighters across our community and beyond.
Nearly 500 runners took to the streets of Pineville for the event, including a couple of firefighters in turnout gear.
And they're off! #Sheltra5k in Pineville raises money for the Richard Sheltra Memorial Fdn. $105k raised so far for FF's @wcnc pic.twitter.com/c6Jjwle3Ss
— Diana Rugg (@DianaRuggOnTV) April 29, 2017
One of the families there to support the Sheltras on this anniversary, the family of Capt. Bradley Long, who died during a rescue mission on Lake Norman last June.
Capt. Long’s father says it means a lot when the firefighting “family” supports each other after a firefighter’s death.
“Seeing the Sheltras this morning, we all have to get our hug and talk and reminisce," says Jerry Long, Capt. Long's father. "But it’s funny, God turns tragedies into blessings, and we’ve made so many new friends. My daughter always says she lost a brother on June 6, but gained so many more.”
So far the Richard Sheltra Foundation has raised about $105,000. The foundation has already helped fire departments along the coast who lost everything during Hurricane Matthew.