We raised our eyebrows at each other in a mixture of apprehension and anticipation. Deep down, we sort of wanted to see it happen—with some of the world’s best photographers in the room, the photos would be awesome, and since the building was brick and concrete, there would be little damage—but once the flames started twirling, many guests silently eyeballed the dimensions of the one door we’d have to escape through to calculate how many of the partygoers could fit through it at once.

The subversive thrill provided by the pyrotechnics was definitely appropriate, however, to the often-mischievous spirit of the person being honored that night. Held as a fundraiser and silent auction to benefit the Chris Hondros Fund, the party was one Hondros would have appreciated. His only regret would have been that he hadn’t come up with the idea of fire-dancers first. Were he still with us, there’s no question that every one of his already legendary parties from then on would have featured tattooed and dreadlocked women lighting their inner thighs on fire.

The event was held in Pittsburgh and put on by photographer Jeff Swensen and the crew at his Barking Dog Studio. I’ve known Jeff and Todd and many more of Chris’s friends for years, but only truly met them after he was killed in Libya in April. As much as the party was for the sake of raising money to help future generations of photojournalists follow in Chris’s footsteps, it was also a reunion of his close friends who span a variety of generations, career paths, time zones, and nationalities. As Jeff said, Chris was the Johnny Appleseed of friendship, leaving behind strong and vibrant relationships wherever he went. It was bittersweet (to say the least) to have been there with so many wonderful people without the person who brought us all together. But as Todd said, we’re family now. And I for one could not be more pleased with or proud of my new brothers and sisters.

In the end, ChrisHondrosmas raised $4,000 for the fund, but fundraising doesn’t end just because the party is over. Charitable donations are among the most meaningful gifts that can be given for the holidays because they have an impact far beyond a single recipient. In the case of the Chris Hondros Fund (of which I’m an associate director), donations will be used for grants and fellowships for young photojournalists who not only have outstanding potential, but who also embody Chris’s spirit of humanity and compassion, in both their work and in their lives. Of course, there can never be another Chris Hondros, but there are people out there in his mold who are awaiting the opportunity to be discovered. The fund was set up to allow Chris’s legacy of producing meaningful and heartfelt work in some of the darkest corners of the world to continue in the hands of other photographers. Donations are tax deductible.

For more information, please see the Chris Hondros Fund website, and donate through the link provided. Thank you and happy holidays!