100 Club of Central Texas Fundraiser

On Friday, first responders served Central Texans in another way. They rang up orders and worked the drive thrus at McDonald's locations in their cities to benefit something that helps them-- the 100 Club of Central Texas.

"I have been working the window. So my job is to make sure we get the order right,” said ACTEMS Chief Ernesto Rodriguez. 

10 percent of every order taken from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. will go to the 100 Club. The non-profit provides financial assistance law enforcement families should tragedy strike.

It's a fun escape for Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Ernesto Rodriguez.

"It's been a rough year for us and the thing about public safety is, we work under huge stress we do some very difficult things, it's very dangerous. I don't think folks realize how dangerous our job is,” said Rodriguez.

The 100 Club gave out $37 thousand dollars last year to the families of first responders killed in the line of duty.

In April of 2015, Starflight nurse Kristin McLain lost her life while trying to save another's. Several months later, Hutto Police Department Sgt. Chris Kelley was killed when he was run down by a suspect he was pursuing.

Departments also endured many injuries. Three Austin firefighters were burned in October while trying to rescue a person.

Just this week an APD officer was hurt in a crash when a car he was attempting to pull over suddenly braked.

"We do our best to prepare for this and we try to prevent all of that from happening, despite our best effort it does and you need a good back up system, so the 100 Club is always behind us."

Some patrons made a special trip to participate.

"It's a good idea, a good cause,” said David Montoya.

And a good thing to see for people like 100 Club board member and firefighter spouse Angela Tidwell.

"I know I could be on the other end,” said Tidwell.

The 100 Club pays families $10 thousand dollars for each line of duty death. They are also there for happy times paying for scholarships so that first responders may move up in their careers.

You can still donate here.