Bobbie Jo Gainey visited with fire fighters from the Centerville Fire Department during the 2012 Fire Safety Symposium in Forsyth, Georgia. Centerville is planning a boot drive for the fall. |
Upcoming Events
August 13-17
Strategic Planning
August 22-25
Georgia Fire Service Conference
September 10
4th Annual Savannah Charity Golf Tournament
October 6
Motorcycle Charity Ride
October 11
Jeffrey Chavis Golf Tournament
October 13
Washington County Firefighter's Assoc. Fundraiser
For more information please contact Bobbie Jo Gainey at bgainey@sfbf.net |
Caring by the Numbers
9,125 is estimated number of guests who have stayed at the Chavis House since it's opening in 2002. |
Go Team USA! |
A tip of the helmet to Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative
They recently launched an employee campaign to raise funds for Project Sojourner |
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Burn Prevention Tip
Traveling this summer? Don't smoke, light matches or use lighters while refueling. Pumping gas is the transfer of a hazardous substance. |
We Love Happy Endings
SFBF is searching for patient stories to use during the Burn Survivors Reunion, Saturday, November 10. Please contact us and share your story of recovery at 1-800-650-BURN or burnshurtwehelp@knology.net |
"Finishing second in the Olympics gets you silver. Finishing second in politics gets you oblivion."
Richard Nixon |
FORE! If you would like to participate in our annual Savannah Golf Tournament, Monday, September 10, contact Bobbie Jo Gainey at: bgainey@sfbf.net |
Project Sojourner
Goal: $100,000
Thanks to you we've reached 27% |
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Mama loved to load the five of us into her Country Squire Station Wagon and take day trips. I recall a summer day when we headed to the peach fields of Trenton, SC armed with buckets, fried chicken, and iced tea. We picked three bushels, taking turns resting in the shade and watching the baby. Later, with the windows down, we rode home in a stupor. But by suppertime, we had peeled and canned all of those peaches. Jars cooling on the table like big jewels, we proudly waited for Daddy to come home. He hugged Mama, surveyed our work, grinned and then went into a little speech about how they weren't really a bargain if you "figure in the high cost of gas, jars, sugar ..." (Yada. Yada.) Mama gave him a look and simply said, "Some people don't know the difference between price and value." She was right. It is hard to hang a price tag on the joy of working together for a good cause. |
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Olympic Sized Heart
As the world watches the London 2012 Olympics, Val Jacobson, from Hampton, SC, will be reliving the Paralympics of years past. He has participated in four  Paralympic Games, including a gold medal discus performance in the 2002 Games. Val was an active runner and cyclist before his burn injury in 1996, when the plane he was piloting crashed, causing him to lose his right leg, toes on his left foot, nine fingers, part of his vision and hearing in his right ear. This would put most athletes on the bench, but not this burn survivor. Val, a Science teacher, figured if he was in shape before his injury, there was no reason to not be in shape afterwards. He became involved with Paralympics and now owns a fitness gym in Hampton. When not working out, this husband and father of two, enjoys playing golf, hunting turkey, collecting coins, and visiting burn patients who need encouragement. We think Val deserves a gold medal for clearing some significant life hurdles. |
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Hearts Together
Donalee and Leo Thomas still remember the blind date that brought them together. After 47 years of marriage, three children and eleven grandchildren, these retirees still enjoy each other's company. This includes their tag-team volunteer work at SFBF.
Together they have donated over 4,000 hours helping restock supplies at the Chavis House, serving lunch to our guests, and as they describe it, "Whatever we need to do to help." Donnalee says it started in 2008 during a Sunday school class at West Acres Baptist Church when Betty Johnson, a volunteer at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital, made an appeal for volunteers to help with the families of patients who had been transported to Augusta following the Imperial Sugar Refinery explosion. The work was draining, but both agree, "It was so rewarding." When one couple's son died, they even attended the funeral in Savannah. Leo says, "They were very special people." We think the Thomas's are pretty special people. If we paid them, we couldn't afford hearts as big as these. |
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Grieving Hearts
It is a bittersweet reality that Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation's supporters often find us because of a tragedy in their community. Such was the case when Chief Michael Causey and Richard Hall, of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, called to say that the family of Lee Harris, Jr. were directing contributions in memory of Mr. Harris to the Foundation.  "Little Lee," just 36 years old, died on June 23rd as a result of burn injuries sustained in a farming accident. He was not only a volunteer firefighter, he was a husband, father of two, and a community leader. Our hearts are with the Harris family and the Vienna community as they grieve. We hope they find comfort in knowing that Lee's memory will live on through the many patients and families this Foundation will assist in the years ahead; it is obvious from the number of memorial contributions, now over $13,000. Mr. Harris was a cherished community leader and will be missed by all who knew him. |
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A Creative Heart
You could say that advertising is in this Board member's blood. Mark Alison, founder and president of The Alison Group, was a mere three-years-old when he had his first radio gig at WTNT, where his father worked. "Dad put me at the microphone and I started talking," said Mark. The Alison Group, with offices in Augusta and Charlotte, celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year. Mark and his wife, Melanie, have two children, Markus and Tasha, who also work with The Alison Group. Mark's serves on the Foundations Marketing and Fundraising Committee and is always willing to help. He and his team at The Alison Group were instrumental in helping the Foundation create the Can It! can-paign, producing the 2011 Annual Report and are currently redesigning our new website and 25th Anniversary logo.  Ever the outdoorsman, Mark recently returned from his 7th Alaskan fishing excursion. He also makes a mean hot sauce with the appropriately family-friendly name, "Help Me Jesus Hot Sauce." Thank you, Mark, for "spicing" up things at the Foundation! |
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Hearts of Gold
Jim Daws, President of the Professional Firefighters of Georgia, and several other members of the IAFF including members of the Augusta Professional Firefighters Association recently toured the Chavis House and presented Jo Maypole with a $1,000 check for Project Sojourner. Pictured above from left to right are Shad Johnson, Jim Daws, Jo Maypole, Wayne Hines, and Thomas Stokes, Jr. holding his son, our youngest donor to date.
We also appreciate Thomson McDuffie Fire/Rescue's hard work collecting over $1200 to benefit the Foundation through a boot drive. Pictured above from left to right: Heather Moore, Will Johnson, Lt. Ed Lewis, Tamea Grant, Bobbie Jo Gainey, Asst. Chief Stephen Sewell, and Mark Matthews. |
From the Heart...
I sometimes refer to Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation as "the little charity with the big heart." I'm not just referring to the logo. I'm also talking about the care and compassion that our patients and their families receive while they are in Augusta. We can tell you the real-life costs of various services, but to understand the value you have to put yourself in the shoes of one of our patients' families. A comfortable bed at the end of a difficult day; the peace of mind of being close to your sick child; enjoying a hot meal rather than vending machine fare - I am sure you understand the value of the simple things that we sometimes take for granted.
Jo
Jo Maypole
Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation |
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