In recognition of the service and sacrifice of thousands of first responders nationwide, ServPro will host the fifth annual ServPro First Responder Bowl at Southern Methodist University’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. The University of Memphis Tigers will face off against the Utah State University Aggies. Kickoff is set for December 27 at 3:15 Eastern Standard Time on ESPN.

“This game shines a spotlight on hometown heroes across the country,” said Susan Meacham, a disaster restoration specialist with ServPro of Lindale, North Smith County. “We are proud to be part of a company that honors all first responders for willingly putting the welfare of others ahead of their own personal safety.”

Nationwide, ServPro franchises, including Lindale, North Smith County, were asked to submit the name of a first responder from their hometown to be considered for special recognition at the game. This year, ServPro is honoring Cpl. Phillip Zonn and POFC. Geobani Guerra of the Prince George’s County (Maryland) Police Department. Zonn and Guerra were both separately traveling home from their shift when they approached a vehicle that had been involved in an accident. The two officers bravely worked to cut the unconscious and injured driver free from the burning vehicle before it was engulfed in flames.

The First Responder Bowl caps off a year of significant support from ServPro for first responder communities across the country. Following Hurricane Ian, ServPro, in partnership with First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), a nonprofit organization that aids the children and families of first responders, provided $150,000 in financial grants to 80 first responders affected by the storm.. In addition, ServPro performed, at no charge, mitigation services to begin restoring the homes of ten first responders affected by Ian.

ServPro is also celebrating community and individual participation in the game. First responders nationwide will enjoy the game with first responder tailgate boxes, filled with tailgate goodies, purchased by their local ServPro franchisee and delivered to their local fire stations and public safety offices in time for the game. Fans in the Gilmer, texas, area can show their support for first responders by taking and posting a selfie with the hashtag #MySelfieGives while watching the game in person or on TV. ServPro will donate $100, up to $25,000, to the FRCF for each selfie posted during the game.