The Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association
“Our mission is to support underserved Fire Explorers and Cadets by providing scholarships, equipment purchasing financial aid, and other financial assistance to programs and individuals.”
The Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association is a non-profit organization started by Kevin Woyjeck’s parents, Joe and Anna Woyjeck. It was founded as a way to honor and carry on Kevin’s legacy after his line of duty passing, battling the Yarnell, AZ wildfire on June 30th, 2013, alongside 18 crewmates. KWEFLA helps young men and women successfully participate in fire career related explorer and cadet programs, just like Kevin did himself. Kevin truly enjoyed the explorer program and what it had to offer him in reaching his dreams.
Our organization gives fire explorer and fire cadet programs and disadvantaged youth access to tools that help them follow their career goals, while shadowing real firefighters volunteering their time to teach and pass on knowledge. It fosters a priceless on-hand learning environment.
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Support from the community, public and private sector is essential to our ability to support fire explorer and cadet programs and disadvantaged youth from across the country. To date, we’ve been able to donate resources and funds across the country. Please consider making a monetary contribution by clicking the link below.
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September 12, 2025
Recently, I received a phone call from a gentleman named Martin. I didn’t know Martin at the time, but he told me he was with the Los Alamitos football booster program. He explained that they were planning to recognize first responders and military members at the September 12th Los Alamitos football game, and he asked if it would be alright to honor Kevin, a 2010 graduate of Los Alamitos High School. Of course, our answer was yes, and we were especially touched to learn that they were also honoring fallen Los Angeles City Firefighter Connor Lees.
Kevin and Connor were friends. Connor passed away last year while lobster diving off duty. He was a true waterman.
As Connor’s dad, Mark—also a retired firefighter—and I stood side by side, consoling each other without words, we were simply two fathers, proud of our boys, humbled by the love in the stands. The support came not only from Los Alamitos fans, but also from the opposing team’s fans. It was powerful, it was emotional, and it was a reminder that our fire family and community run deep.
I want to say thank you to Martin, the Los Alamitos football booster club, and to everyone who showed up that night. I especially want to thank the Lees family for sharing such a meaningful evening with us.
The very next morning, the Lees family hosted an incredibly moving paddle out, with hundreds in the water and hundreds more standing on the pier to honor Connor.
With love and respect to the Lees family—from the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association and from the Woyjeck family. ... See MoreSee Less
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Beautiful ❤️🙏
Beautiful 💓 💓 🙏
Thank you for sharing. It was deeply moving and such a thoughtful way to start that night’s football game.
Absolutely beautiful ❤️🕊️
Wow…Beautiful! 🙏🏻❤️❤️🙏🏻
Beautiful!!!
A very moving tribute. Carry on and I will try to do the same. ❤️🩹
What a great tribute. To the two boys .
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Happy Heavenly Birthday, Kevin. 😇
I see you everyday in the goodness and generosity of others and in the hard working Explorers set out to save the world.
I see you in your brother and sisters’ love for their families and in the joy and curiosity of your nephews and niece.
I see you your dad’s face when he comes home from the sea.
Thank you for all these signs of hope. I miss you terribly and wonder what shenanigans you would be up to with our growing family.
Cheers, Kev! I love you, Mom💜 ... See MoreSee Less
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Happy heavenly birthday Kevin 🎉
Happy Heavenly Birthday!!
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Heavenly birthday blessings Kevin 💙🙏 Much love Woyjeck family
Happy Heavenly Birthday Kevin. Hugs sent your way Mom
Happy heavenly birthday 🎂 🙏
Hugs to all the Woyjeck’s
Happy heavenly birthday Kevin 🙏❤️ 🎂
Thinking of you today Woyjeck family.🙏🏼❤️
Prayers and Blessings for this wonderful Family!!!
Thinking of all of you today. Happy Heavenly birthday Kevin 💙
Happy Heavenly Birthday, Kevin!
Happy heavenly birthday Kevin!💙🙏🏻
Happy Heavenly Birthday Kevin 🤙🏼❤️ You are missed and cherished! Until we a see you again! ❤️ Sending love to your family. Keeps sending signs that you are always with them 🥰😇
Your son taught my daughter to drive a stick shift or at least he attempted to. We had coffee just before he left for Arizona to talk and I kept thinking what a remarkable young man he was. He talked about how hard it was to train for and make the fire team and about how proud he was of himself. I've thought of him many times over the years. I was cleaning out old stuff and came across a beautiful essay my daughter had written in college about Kevin. It made my eyes fill with tears and my heart smile at how much he meant to her. Happy Heavenly birthday Kevin, your missed deeply.
Love and miss you Kevin
Happy heavenly birthday Kevin- forever in our hearts . You are a gift to all who knew you. Thanks for all the memories. Hugs to all the family on this day. 🙏🏻🎂❤️💔
Happy Heavenly birthday Kevin 🎂 🥳 🕊 🙏 👨🏾🚒 🙏
Happy heavenly Birthday Kevin! Kevin was always such a pleasure to be around, his smile and positive spirit will always be remembered.
Happy Birthday Kevin. He was always such a fun character with the cross country crew. I think of him every day on my drive to work when I pass the memorial freeway sign at seal beach and the 405. ❤️
Beautiful
Happy Heavenly Birthday Brother.
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September 4, 2025
Today I had the honor of accepting a $2,000 donation generously awarded by the wonderful people at Northgate Market company to Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Paul Stump for his continued contributions to the community. The funds were to be donated to the non profit of Chief Stump’s choice, Chief Stump chose the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association as the nonprofit to receive this gift.
A huge thank you to Northgate Market company for their generosity and to Chief Stump and his wonderful wife Kim for their ongoing support. Your kindness helps us continue our mission of supporting young men and women in their pursuit of becoming first responders. ... See MoreSee Less
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That’s awesome. ❤️
August 29,2025
Two years ago we committed a $5,000 donation to support Pasadena Fire Explorer America Salmeron as she recovered from devastating 2nd and 3rd degree burns covering more than half of her body after an off-road accident. Our longtime friend Richard Yokley was so moved by her story and our commitment that he generously matched the donation with an additional $5,000.
Recently, America reached out to request these funds to help cover upcoming medical expenses. Her courage, perseverance, and determination to keep moving forward are truly inspiring.
Thank you to all of our supporters who make moments like this possible!
www.firehouse.com/careers-education/video/53072520/pasadena-ca-ff-explorer-burned-in-crash-determ... ... See MoreSee Less
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Strong Young Lady!! Great Job Kevin Woyjeck Kevin Woyjeck Explorers For Life Assoc. Inc. You Honor Kevin with the highest honor by assisting another individual in their time of need. "SOLID"👊👍🙏
👏🏽💪🏼💪🏼❤️
It’s Time for Our Biggest Event of the Year!
Join us Sunday, September 28th at Ballast Point Brewery in Long Beach
2 PM – 6 PM
Only 200 tickets will be sold!
Outside on the waterfront — overlooking the same bay where Kevin grew up fishing — we’ll gather for an unforgettable afternoon.
🎶 Live music by the Kelly Boyz Band
🍴 Great food and drinks
🎁 Event swag
💛 And most importantly, time together in Kevin’s memory — supporting the next generation of firefighters through the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association.
... See MoreSee Less
Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association 2025 Fundraiser
www.zeffy.com
An unforgettable afternoon of music, friends and support for the next generation of first responders, complete with food and live music from the Kelly Boyz Band!Comment on Facebook
🍻 There’s a cold beer calling your name… and it’s for Kevin! 💜
Join us Sept 28 to party with a purpose — raising funds for KWEFLA! 🎉
🎟️ Only 200 tickets – don’t miss out!
Came last year? Drop a 🍺 in the comments! ... See MoreSee Less
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Waiting!!!
Great time last year
Save the date,
On the water on a Sunday afternoon… only 200 tickets will be sold. ... See MoreSee Less
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4 for the Jones’ 🔥🔥
July 6,2025
Remembering the 14 fallen firefighters of Storm King.
Our hearts go out to all of their families and special love to our friend Jim Roth, brother of fallen firefighter Roger Roth. ... See MoreSee Less
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🖤🕊️🖤
🙏🙏
❤️
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 Thank you for your service!
🙏💜
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Twelve Years. And Dozens of Blessings.
Twelve years ago, nineteen brave brothers made the ultimate sacrifice in the Yarnell Hill Fire. Their memory lives on every single day — carried in our hearts, spoken in stories, and honored through action.
This time of year, so many hearts ache as we remember those 19 heroes — including our Kevin. We also honor Brendan, the lone survivor, who became a firefighter last year and carries forward the spirit of their brotherhood. Joe was deeply honored to pin Brendan’s badge to his chest.
In the twelve years since, our lives have taken turns we never could have imagined. We’ve become Pop Pop and Nana to four incredible grandchildren. If you had asked us back then what life would look like after losing Kevin, we could never have pictured a home filled with rambunctious play, bedtime stories, babysitting, and watching Bobby (Amanda) and Maddie (Wyatt) become loving parents.
Kevin would’ve been the best uncle. We can picture him right in the middle of the chaos with Forrest, Gunnar, Violet, and Grady — wrestling on the floor, sneaking them treats, taking them to the beach, and making everyone laugh. It’s a gift to know your child so well that you can still feel him in the joy around you.
We know Kevin is watching over Bobby and Maddie as they raise these blessings. He loved his family and friends with everything he had — and he’ll always be remembered as a young man who answered a calling bigger than himself.
To our family, friends, board members, volunteers, sponsors, and donors — thank you. Your support of the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association allows us to help others pursue their dreams in the fire service. Your commitment means more than words can say.
This holiday, raise a beer, cast a line, and crank up some country music — just the way Kevin would’ve wanted it.
At 4:42 p.m. on June 30, 2013, their final radio call went silent. Today, and always, we remember.
We miss you, Kevin. 💜🍻 ... See MoreSee Less
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Hugs to all involved.
Congratulations family
What a beautiful tribute to Kevin… and the Woyjeck family! Love you!
What a wonderful and heartwarming post. I and the entire firefighting family have been on this journey with the Woyjeck family and very much appreciate the update and send heartfelt holiday wishes 🤗
So happy to see all the beautiful smiles.
So happy you guys have grandkids they are the sweetest
Beautiful tribute to Kevin
I was on shift that day just as today. Thought about you guys throughout the afternoon. So happy for the blessings Bobby and Maddie have brought to you and Anna.
😔
Can’t believe it’s been 12 years ago. I remember vividly picking up you and Maddy bringing them to the FDNY event at Coney Island and having the pleasure of escorting you two around NYC. It’s wonderful to see the smiling faces so full of love and laughter. Prayers sent your way.
Beautiful tribute 🤗
How beautifully said. 💔❤️
Wonderful‼️
Kevin taught my daughter how to drive a stick shift. He was such an amazing young man. I loved our coffee at Bogarts talks. My daughter wrote a story for a college class about the last night they were together the night before he left for Arizona. It made me cry and still brings tears to my eyes thinking about it. He was such a special person.
So much BLESSINGS andLOVE! 🤗❤️
Beautiful family! Beautiful memories!
Always, everyday, in my heart.
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