Coming in April
Look for Highlights from our 2012 Heroes Banquet
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Register Now for the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation's 2012 Best Dam Ride, Sunday, April 15, at the J. Strom Thurmond Dam at Clarks Hill. |
Upcoming Events
March 15
Executive/Finance Meeting
April 19
Board of Directors Meeting
April 15
Best Dam Ride
April 20 - 22
Eighth Annual Rodeo Nights
For more information please contact Bobbie Jo Gainey at:
b.gainey@burnshurtwehelp.org
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Caring by the Numbers
In 2011 there were 5,739 guest-stays at the Chavis House. Most guests stayed an average of 7 days, but many found respite for months as their loved ones were treated at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center. |
Save the Date
2012 RODEO NIGHTS
APRIL 20 - 22
Columbia County Fairground
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Burn Prevention Tip
As noted in the Ashton Samples story, a tree stump can burn not only for days, but up to six weeks, according to Danny Kuhlmann, with Martinez-Columbia Fire Rescue. To protect children and pets, Danny recommends placing a fence or barrier around brush that you burn, particularly growth with roots still in the ground. |
It's Daffodil time! A special thanks to Marybeth Adams, one of our garden angels, who planted bulbs in our Garden of Hope.
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A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.
Joseph Campbell |
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Greetings!
One of my mother's favorite expressions, "trying to put 10 lbs. of potatoes in a 5 lb. bag," aptly describes the last few weeks at Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation. Between closing out the fiscal year and preparing for our annual audit, we held our 24th annual meeting. We welcomed David Bagwell, Tom Dorn, and Julie Tanner to our Board of Directors. Then we joined a few friends in the lobby of the Joseph M. Still Burn Center to unveil the new donor recognition wall featuring the names of our 2011 donors. It also features a photo collage with faces such as Doctors Still and Mullins, Jeffrey Chavis, Princella Lee-Bridges and others who have helped shape this Foundation's history. We hope you will help shape its future. To paraphrase an old song, "the future's so bright I gotta wear shades." |
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Brave Hearts
Recently, four local firefighters were honored at the Georgia State Firefighters Annual Recognition Day at the State Capitol. This month we will tell you about two of them. Captain Shaw Williams, Jr. and Robert Holliday, Jr. of the Augusta Fire Department received the 2011 Lifesaving Valor Award for their rescue of ten people in an apartment fire last year. As Engine 6 and Truck 4 approached the complex, smoke billowed. The breezeway was engulfed in flames trapping the residents inside. The door of Engine 6 was flung open by a distraught father who cried out, "You have to help them. My kids are in there." Captain Williams, a 23 year veteran firefighter, entered the smoke filled facility and rescued four children, the oldest being 10 years old. Sgt. Holliday, a 16 year veteran and the driver of Truck 4, used the extension ladder to rescue two adults and two children. Both gentlemen humbly gave credit to the crew. Sgt. Holliday perhaps summed it up best, "I did what any other firefighter would do. We just had to get them out of there. The whole crew worked together like clockwork; everyone did their part to make sure we got those people to safety." Congratulations to a couple of true Heroes! |
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The Heart of a Volunteer
She's a deacon, wedding director, mission trip coordinator, switchboard operator, homebound ministry coordinator, neighborhood association treasurer, wife, mother and grandmother. And she volunteers weekly in the Burn Center Waiting Room. One wonders where this volunteer extraordinaire, always smiling, half-pint size, Rena Mobley, gets her energy.
After retiring from 41 years at Deerfield Specialty Papers, Rena had two wishes for retirement. First, she wanted to work the election polls so that she could visit with neighbors, and secondly, she wanted to volunteer at the Burn Center. She has done that faithfully for 11 years every Monday afternoon.
 A 2010 Volunteer of the Year for Doctors Hospital, Rena considers her volunteer work a blessing. She enjoys helping families by offering a listening ear and word of encouragement. If Rena sees a need, she fulfills it. One time a family member expressed her craving for collard greens. The following week, Rena brought her own home-cooked mess of greens for this person.
Meeting a need, sharing a smile, offering encouragement......may we all strive to be more like Rena. |
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A Grateful Heart
What began as a game ended as a nightmare for the family of Ashton Samples, of Danielsville, GA. On April 12, 2010 Ashton, then 14-months-old, took off from his mom in a fun chase game, but before his mother could catch him, Ashton fell into a small pit of hot coals.
"Ashton loves to play chase. We had burned a tree stump on a Friday, poured water on it Saturday and Sunday, and Ashton fell into the pit on Monday. Little did we know that the stump pit would still have hot coals," explained Asaza, Ashton's mother.
Ashton, who was treated at the Burn Center, sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his hands, feet and legs.  Now 3-years-old, Ashton is a typical boy with no limitations to his activities. Asaza is grateful not only for the treatment Ashton received in the Burn Center, but the care her family received with meals and lodging from the Burn Foundation.
"This is the best worst place to be. It's the worst for the situation you're in, but at the same time, it's the best place to be if you're in that situation," said Asaza.
To show her gratitude for the Burn Foundation, Asaza is organizing a benefit for the Pediatric Burn Fund in Danielsville, Sat., Apr., 28, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. A band, food, motorcycle poker run, bake sale, face painting, and rock wall will be part of the fun. For more information, call 706-369-3693
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2012 Best Dam Ride
The Annual Best Dam Ride, held in April in Clarks Hill, SC, has become a family favorite. Cyclists of all ages enjoy a scenic bike ride around Strom Thurmond Lake. There is a 25, 60, 80, and 100 miles Century Option plus a 5-25 mile trail ride on the historic Bartram Trail hosted by Sorba CSRA. The ride begins at the dam and ends at the Clarks Hill picnic area. This year's ride will be held on Sunday, April 15, 2012 in Clarks Hill, SC. For registration or sponsorship information call 1-800-650-2876, or register online at www.active.com. |
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From the Heart...
As I gave you a rundown of the activity at Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation, I forgot to mention that we also produced a 2011 Annual Report. It is well worth reading. You will find the usual facts and figures that you expect in an annual report, but we also shared four stories that give you a flavor of the amazing individuals and groups who make this Foundation what it is. If you would like a copy just send us your name and mailing address.
Jo
Jo Maypole
Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation
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