Robert Bolser wanted to recognize first responders in in honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and thank them for their service.

This led Bolser, a Country Financial representative, to sponsor an appreciation dinner for first responders in the Wilmington area, according to a news release from Country Financial.

Bolser “worked with the Wilmington fire chief, police chief and ESDA manager to host an event that was open to all first responders at one time,” the release said.

The dinner was Sept. 23.

In 2020, Country Financial donated $3 million to “organizations and programs that support first responders and active-duty service members,” the release said. Country Financial continued the program in 2021 and expanded it to include educators, according to the release.