Actor Jack McGee, his wife Stephanie and LAFD Station 97 make sweet music together. Even better, they use it to raise a lot of money for our L.A. City firefighters in need. Their annual March Music Madness fundraiser brought in close to $12,000 for 2015. Half the proceeds went to the Widows & Orphans, while the other half supported the Glenn Allen College Education Fund.
It’s an impressive total and all of our firefighter families are grateful for the kindness, generosity and hard work Jack and Stephanie put into the event each year.
Jack, who has a successful Hollywood career with more than 100 roles under his belt, is known for playing a firefighter on the hit TV show “Rescue Me,” and recently starred in “The McCarthy’s.”
But it wasn’t a role that drew him to our firefighter charity; it was a real-life encounter.
While hiking back in 2011, Jack’s wife Stephanie stepped wrong, fell and severely fractured her leg and wrist. Jack called 9-1-1 and the responding LAFD rescue team, including Firefighter/Paramedic Glenn Allen, took care of her.
A few days later, Jack stopped by the fire station to say thank you, even bringing a meal. It was at that moment he learned the tragic news that Glenn had died while battling a house fire. Jack and Stephanie immediately knew they wanted to do something and established a special fundraiser, now known as March Music Madness. Since Glenn’s first grandson was born just days after he passed away, Jack and Stephanie established an education fund in Glenn’s honor.
1949-2011
Working alongside the firefighters of LAFD Station 97, located up on Mulholland Drive, the event grows bigger and better each year. Kevin Mulvehill, retired LAFD, and his wife Robin, recently hosted a special BBQ to thank Jack and Stephanie. Jim Dolan presented the couple with a special plaque from the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association, the parent organization that runs the charity. LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas was on hand for the check presentation to both funds along with Melanie Allen and Glenn’s grandson.
Jack, Stephanie, Kevin and everyone from 97s look forward to the next March Music Madness. Jack says he’s at his best when helping others. Perhaps that’s because he not only played a firefighter on TV, Jack also worked as a real firefighter in New York years ago and comes from a family of police officers and firefighters.
Hear Jack and Stephanie tell their story to CBS-2 News, Los Angeles.
By Marlene Casillas
