Mizner Country Club celebrated its 10th Annual First Responders’ Day bringing together Mizner members and families with local law enforcements, fire rescue, and emergency response teams for a day centered on appreciation, connection and giving back.
First held in 2017, First Responders’ Day was created to recognize those who dedicate their careers to keeping the community safe. What began as a day of appreciation has evolved into one of the club’s most anticipated community events, with participation and scope growing each year.
Commenting on the event, Mark Bado, Mizner’s General Manager & COO, says, “We are once again honored to uphold Mizner’s tradition of supporting and appreciating the hard work our first responder teams do every day. It is especially meaningful to interact with our members and their families, who have the opportunity to meet local first responders and get an up-close look at the people, vehicles, equipment, and specialized teams behind the community’s emergency response efforts.”
“For Mizner’s youngest members, the experience offered a particularly memorable introduction to the people behind the uniforms. Children interacted with first responders, explored emergency equipment, and took part in hands-on demonstrations throughout the morning, including fire trucks, law enforcement vehicles, the Bomb Squad, forensic K-9s, mounted police, and other specialized units,” says Bado.
The day was about more than demonstrations and family activities. After the morning event, Mizner hosted participating first responders for lunch and a golf tournament, giving the club an opportunity to turn the tables and offer a day of hospitality to those who spend their careers serving others.
“First Responders’ Day represents what our community is all about,” says Mackenzie Lalov, Clubhouse Manager at Mizner Country Club. “It reflects an important part of what it means to be a member of the Club. Beyond golf, dining and amenities, Mizner strives to be a place where relationships are built, families come together, and the Club can make a positive contribution to the community beyond its gates.”
At the center of the event since its early years, has been Mizner member Susan Feldman, whose passion for recognizing first responders and strong relationships with local agencies have helped shape the event into what it is today. Feldman has worked closely with local agencies and the Mizner team year after year to expand participation and create a meaningful experience for both Club members and the honored first responders.
“Susan has truly been the heart of this event,” Lalov says. “Her commitment to recognizing our first responders and the relationships she has built over the years are major reasons this event has become what it is today. She continues to find ways to make it bigger, better and more meaningful each year.”
The event is also supported by Mizner’s longstanding partnership with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Special recognition went to Captain Robert Sandt and Captain Morales for their ongoing support and coordination, which help bring together the many PBSO teams, specialized units, and other first responders who participate.
Behind the scenes at Mizner, Director of Golf Dennis Rye played a key role in coordinating the golf tournament and collaborating with Feldman, PBSO, and the Club team to create a memorable afternoon for participating first responders.
“An event like this simply does not happen without people who genuinely care about its purpose,” Bado says. “Susan, Captain Sandt, Captain Morales, Dennis, and so many others put in an incredible amount of time and effort to make this day possible. It is a true partnership, and we are incredibly grateful to each of them.”
Mizner’s commitment to honoring first responders has also earned recognition from the first responder community. In 2024, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office honored Mizner Country Club for its steadfast dedication to its annual First Responders’ Day Appreciation Event and its continued support of the men and women who serve the community.
