(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The owner of Dickey’s BBQ in Colorado Springs will host a firefighter appreciation event to help raise money for the Colorado Springs Fire Department’s (CSFD) Junior Cadet Program, and for the community to show its support for our local fire crews.

Ethan Riker, owner of Dickey’s BBQ Pit, is in the United States Space Force, and multiple members of his family have served or are currently serving the community as firefighters with CSFD. Ethan’s father, Steven Riker, is a retired Captain of 36 years with CSFD, and both Ethan’s brother and cousin are currently lieutenants with CSFD.

“I grew up around the CSFD and that community is family to me,” said Ethan in an email to FOX21 News.

In honor of the dedicated work that firefighters do here in Colorado Springs, Ethan said he would be hosting a Firefighter Appreciation Event on Jan. 26 from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and will be donating 50% of the sales across five locations to support the Junior Cadet Program.

“I am trying to spread as much awareness as possible to contribute the most amount possible to this great program and organization,” Ethan said.

There are five Dickey’s BBQ Pit locations across the city to choose from:

4146 Austin Bluffs Parkway

811 Cheyenne Meadows Road

7935 Constitution Avenue

1466 Garden of the Gods Road

1252 Interquest Parkway

Ethan added that he is planning on hosting events like this once a quarter, to support organizations and members of the community. To name a few, he said he would look forward to supporting the Colorado Springs Police Department, nurses, and Children’s Hospital.

“I love our community here in Colorado Springs and would love to give back to everyone that works so hard to make our city the amazing place that it is,” Ethan said.