Every year in September, on a Friday close to 9/11, the team at Van Nostran Young Coutts, a Leavitt Group affiliate, pauses their regular workday for something that matters deeply to them and their North Canton community.
On the day of the event, a few team members leave the office early to start preparing – everything from setting up picnic tables, spreading tablecloths, filling coolers, and setting up a dessert and candy buffet. By the time everything is set, the space feels less like a community building and more like a gathering place.
This annual First Responders Event began during COVID-19, at a time when local police officers were facing bad publicity. Will Van Nostran and Matt Ankerman, both of Van Nostran Young Coutts, wanted to do something simple but meaningful. Something that said, “we see you and appreciate what you do.” That first year, the event was just for first responders, partly due to COVID-19 health restrictions.
Since then, it’s become an annual tradition where they typically serve 50 to 60 people. The event welcomes local police officers, fire fighters, EMS, city workers, retired first responders, and their families. What started as a meal has grown into an evening of connection for the Van Nostran team, their families, and their community.
Will and Matt lead the planning, with ideas and input from the rest of the team each year. On the day of the event, their office volunteers handle setup and serving, often joined by their own family members. They team up with other partners in the community, including Mission BBQ, who offers support and discounts year after year, and the Parks Department, who helps secure the community building for the event and makes sure logistics come together smoothly.
For the Van Nostran team, this event is about remembering 9/11, honoring those who serve every day, and creating space for gratitude. One meal. One evening. A reminder that support doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.
