Heart of a Community
Easley Fire Department
Many thanks go out to the good folks with the Easley Fire Department. Last month they delivered a check for $7,344.33 raised through boot drives and corporate sponsors.
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Save the Date Our Second Annual Heroes Banquet will take place on March 1, 2012. |
Caring by the Numbers
The estimated value of volunteer time is $21 per hour, according to the Independent Sector, a coalition of charities and foundations. In 2011, volunteers contributed over 4,500 hours of service to SFBF. Do the math. It is amazing! |
Upcoming Events
January 20th
Fire and Ice Ball
February 16th
Annual Meeting
March 1st
Heroes Banquet
April 15th
Best Dam Ride
April 20th, 21st, & 22nd
Eighth Annual Rodeo Nights
For more information please contact Bobbie Jo Gainey at:
b.gainey@burnshurtwehelp.org |
Register Now for the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation's 2012 Best Dam Ride, Sunday, April 15th, at the J. Strom Thurmond Dam at Clarks Hill.
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Burn Prevention Tip
Space Heaters
- Select a space heater with a guard around the heat source.
- Place the heater on a hard, level, nonflammable surface that is atleast (3) feet from drapes, bedding, and furniture.
- Never leave a space heater on while sleeping and always turn the heater off when you leave the area.
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Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.
Helen Keller |
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Greetings!
Happy New Year! I love new beginnings, and 2012 presents Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation with the opportunity to take stock of where we are and set goals for the months ahead. Each year, the Board, staff and I look back at the prior year's accomplishments and ask ourselves, "How can we improve services to the patients and families that we serve? What opportunities await us?" We will write our goals down, almost like New Year's resolutions, and plan our work around them. As we do this, we are aware of the role that you and other volunteers, donors, businesses, and fire departments play in making the Foundation the special place that it is. Thanks for making 2011 a great year! |
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The Heart of a Volunteer
Sherry Videtto
This month's Volunteer Spotlight is on Sherry Videtto, who has been the Patient Advisor with JMS Burn Centers, Inc., since 2003. Sherry serves as the liaison between the patient's family and the medical team at the Burn Center.
Perhaps "Resource Queen" would be a more fitting title. For whether it's arranging a place to stay at the Chavis House, scheduling transportation on an Angel Flight from Augusta to Mississippi, or helping a family experience some "normalcy" by giving them donated movie passes, Sherry has the contacts to make life a little brighter for those most in need.
 Sherry has been a key volunteer with Rodeo Nights, the SFBF's largest fundraiser. Another popular event that Sherry helps organize is the annual Shop with a Doc. Working closely with Target, the Foundation purchases gift cards through the Pediatric Burn Fund for each child. Then each child is paired with a physician or volunteer where they meet Santa and shop for toys. "One of the most touching aspects of this night is seeing how many of the children want to spend some of their money on their siblings. They will usually purchase a small gift for each," said Sherry.
"I see patients and their families at their worst. I do whatever I can to help the family so that they can be strong and healthy to take care of their loved one upon discharge," said Sherry. "I am blessed to work with such a great team." |
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A Grateful Heart
Roxanne Hayes
Though 2011 will be remembered as the year of Jacob Hayes' burn, his mom, Roxanne, says that 2012 will be the year they reflect on life in a whole new way.
Jacob, an 18-year-old freshman at North Greenville University, was burned in September when a gas can exploded in his hand. Though he suffered burns on his face, arms and hands, it was the lung injury that almost took his life.
"Jacob is a miracle, even Dr. Shaver says that," said Roxanne. "We are so thankful for each day of life. A few scars are nothing, having Jacob alive and with us is what's important. We met four families when we first arrived who lost loved ones. We know we are blessed."
While Jacob was being cared for by the medical team, Roxanne and her husband, Bobby, found comfort and support from the SFBF volunteers and families in the Chavis House and Burn Center waiting room.
"You meet other families and get very close to them and they become part of your family," said Roxanne. "The Burn Foundation has been a blessing to so many people.  You hope you are never in this situation, but it's great to know that people are here to help if you are."
"We will never be the same - and that's a positive thing," said Roxanne. "We feel honored to have come here and met all of these wonderful, caring people." |
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Warm Hands, Warm Hearts
Firefighters are an amazing group. Male, female, paid or volunteer, they are dedicated to making our community safer. They rescue neighbors, promote fire prevention education, push for safety legislation, and honor their fallen with unsurpassed dignity and compassion. When one of their co-workers is brought to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center, they respond like a huge family. Thus, it is no surprise that firefighters continue to be Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation's strongest group of supporters. They do it with heart! In 2011, they raised 26% of our budget, over $190,000. In addition to boot drives and special events, many fire departments serve as collection points for aluminum cans which account for another 10% of our total income. This amazing support comes from small all-volunteer groups, as well as larger fire departments throughout Georgia and South Carolina. How fortunate SFBF is to have our own "hot shot crew" of volunteers helping us whenever we call on them. "Thank you" seems like such a small phrase of appreciation for a group that contributes so much. |
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From the Heart...
My Daddy built homes until just a few years before he died at the age of 89. Spending time with him, especially just the two of us, was special. As a child, I loved it when he would ask me to go along with him while he did his "walk throughs." Mama probably loved it too, because it gave her ears a rest. He and I would enter each house which was nearing completion. Armed with a note card, a mechanical pencil, and a tape measure, we walked through each room. He wrote down items that needed to be finished and sometimes items that needed to be re-done. He called it a "punch list." I asked dozens of questions. He managed to answer them all and still get the job done. New Year's gives us the opportunity to create our own punch list. We can walk through our lives one room at the time - taking inventory- eliminating the unnecessary- organizing the clutter - refining the lovely- and discovering new opportunities to improve. What's on your punch list for 2012?
Jo
Jo Maypole
Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation
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