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.
Make a Donation
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.
Donate
Our family continues to be humbled and grateful for the work being done through the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association (KWEFLA).
This week, we were honored to help donate $10,000 to the Noel Junior Firefighter Program in Missouri — supporting young people as they begin their journey toward a life of service in the fire community. It feels good to write these kind of checks!
Kevin’s legacy lives on in every cadet who learns, trains, and grows with the same dedication, courage, and heart he carried into everything he did. Seeing programs like this thrive reminds us why KWEFLA exists — to invest in the future of the fire service and to keep Kevin’s spirit of service alive.
Our heartfelt thanks to the KWEFLA Board of Directors, our incredible donors, and everyone who continues to believe in this mission. Your generosity ensures that the next generation of firefighters has the tools, mentorship, and support they need to succeed.
We are deeply touched by the words of Missouri State Fire Marshal Tim Bean, who shared:
“Thank you to KWEFLA for supporting the future of the Missouri Fire Service. Congratulations to the Noel Junior Firefighter Program.”
With love and gratitude,
Joe & Anna ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Outstanding !
So proud or our board and our sponsors, we are making a difference!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association Donates $10,000 to Support Noel Junior Firefighter Program
Noel, Missouri — October 23, 2025 — The Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association (KWEFLA) is proud to announce a $10,000 donation to the Noel Junior Firefighter Program in Missouri. This contribution will directly support the growth and development of the department’s youth program, which prepares aspiring first responders for future careers in the fire service.
These funds will help the Noel fire department purchase essential training gear, protective equipment, educational materials and scholarships that allow young participants to safely and effectively learn the fundamentals of firefighting. The support from KWEFLA ensures that the next generation of first responders receive the tools, mentorship, and encouragement they need to succeed.
“Our mission has always been to honor Kevin’s legacy by helping young men and women pursue their dream of becoming first responders,” said Joe Woyjeck, President of the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association. “The Noel Junior Firefighter Program represents exactly what Kevin stood for — service, teamwork, and a passion for helping others.”
The Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association was established in memory of Kevin Woyjeck, a Los Angeles County Firefighter and proud member of the Granite Mountain Hotshots who lost his life in the 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire. The association is a 100% volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Fire Explorer and Cadet programs nationwide through scholarships, equipment donations, and mentorship opportunities.
For more information about the Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association or to learn how to support its mission, please visit www.explorersforlife.org.
Media Contact:
Joe Woyjeck
President, Kevin Woyjeck Explorers for Life Association
KWExplorers@gmail.com ... See MoreSee Less
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No one need tell you, but you and the Kevin's organization has accomplished and done so, so much to protect and teach our upcoming generations of firefighters. The Lord has blessed you in abundant ways that you may abundantly bless others and I love you for all you have done. Kevin is daily in my heart and memory as he so blessed me. Love to you. Lynn
Thank you Lynn, We have a great team on our board and we have great supporters who trust us and enable us to follow our mission statement.
That's amazing, Joe! What a great thing you're doing!
Awesome!
This is so wonderful 🙌 🙌 🚒 👨🏾🚒
Amazing work Joe. You and your Team Honor Kevin by helping our next generation of Firefighters. Solid work pal👊👍🇺🇸
Awesome !!! Great program and giving it forward. Thanks Joe and all involved. You guys truly make a difference.
So awesome!!
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Kevin would be so proud of @petie_montero90!
Always an Angels fan, forever a Pedro fan! Good luck, Dodgers!💙💜 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Are those available in sticker form?
Ditto! Would love a sticker.
I'd like some too That was a heck of a game last night
Luv it!
Can we purchase these stickers?
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Ending Kevin’s birthday month with today’s fundraiser at Ballast Point! 💜💜
We are so grateful for the continued love and support. Because of you, we’ve been able to help incredible explorers and explorer programs carry forward Kevin’s spirit of service.
We know not everyone can join us in person, but we’d love for you to raise a glass and toast to Kev wherever you are. 🍻He would like that too!
After all, it’s National Beer Day — share your cheers photos and tag us @explorers.for.life so we can celebrate together!
Here’s to you, Kevin.
We love you and miss you soooo much!
Mom & Dad ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Have a great day !
See you in a bit! Mark and Diane Lepore
Cheers.
Just saw this- we will raise a glass and toast to Kevin a few days late. But the sentiment is the same. We talk lovingly of him often, so he is not forgotten. Sending love and hugs to you all ! ❣️🍻
Thanks to all of you, KWEFLA, is proud to have supported the Las Vegas Fire Department Explorer Program with 40 new Phenix first due helmets! We wish all of them the best of luck! 💜👏🏼🙌 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
We can not thank your wonderful organization enough for the kind and generous donation you have provided our Explorers! We look forward to putting this outstanding gift in to service and sharing some pictures!
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
Comment on Facebook
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
Comment on Facebook
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
Comment on Facebook
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
Comment on Facebook
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"👊👍🙏
👏🏽💪🏼💪🏼❤️