DAPHNE, Ala. — Tragedies come in all shapes and sizes, but the most devastating hardships are often the ones that catch people and families unaware.

And children can be especially hard-hit when emergencies arise, a fact Joey Holasz has seen time and again as battalion chief with the Daphne Fire Department.

He and his wife, Christy, have formed Ladders for L.O.V.E. to provide outreach to people affected by “emergencies and unforeseen events.”

“I’ve got big plans; we’re just taking baby steps to get there,” said Holasz, who is organizing the organization’s first fundraiser, slated for Sept. 18 at Daphne’s Al Trione Sports Complex.

With L.O.V.E. standing for “Lending Outreach to Victims of Emergencies,” Holasz said the idea was borne of a desire to help with cleanup and recovery efforts associated with oil spill threatening Alabama’s coastlines.

See the rest of this story in the July 7 Daphne Bulletin.