The event, organized by those close to Larisa, will help cover groceries and other household expenses for his family while he is out of work during a long recovery. Larisa is a family man with four children at home, according to his longtime friend Justin Teixeira.

Teixeira described Larisa as someone whose selfless nature made him a natural fit for public service.

"To be a firefighter, to be in public service at all, it's a commitment to others over self," Teixeira said. "That's Bobby. Bobby's always felt the need to give back and serve."

Larisa was diagnosed seven years ago with a serious heart condition that causes the heart muscle to become abnormally thick. When his condition worsened, it became clear that a transplant would be necessary.

The surgery brought its own uncertainties, but Teixeira, himself a paramedic, said seeing his friend after the operation was encouraging.

"Being a paramedic myself and to see him roll out of the E.R. the way I did, it was positive," Teixeira said. "Very positive to see a healthy person, skin color looked good, he looked really good. He looks excellent today too, we've FaceTimed a few times here at the event and he's loving the band playing here."

The fundraiser exceeded organizers' expectations. "We expected a good number at the door, but the amount of support that came today is incredible," Teixeira said. "It was incredible."

The road to recovery will be long, but the money raised Saturday will help ease the financial burden on Larisa's family while he focuses on healing. For a community that relies on first responders like Larisa, the turnout was a measure of gratitude for a neighbor who has spent his career putting others first.