A local first responder and the son of another were beneficiaries of the Union County First Responders Foundation, which presented checks to both people Thursday.
The foundation, which is meant to raise money to help full-time first responders in the county, donated a check to Assistant Chief Jesse McKinnon for his son, Braden, and a check to Lt. Trey Sewell at the El Dorado Fire Department.
Sewell and Braden were unable to attend the check presentation Thursday. Braden suffered a head injury after an automobile accident last April and the money will help pay for therapy, McKinnon said.
Sewell, an engineer with the El Dorado Fire Department, lost part of his right leg in late June from a single-vehicle automobile accident.
“The purpose of the committee is to help out first responders in their time of need,” said Assistant Fire Chief Jason Evans, a committee member of the foundation.
The foundation had their first annual benefit golf tournament in September, where they raised $7,000.
They are planning their second annual golf tournament for May 5 at the El Dorado Country Club.
Currently, there is a fundraiser raffling off a Browning A5 shotgun, worth over $1,700. All proceeds will go towards helping first responders in Union County.
“It takes a toll on a checkbook when you’re doing a lot of traveling and paying for special therapy,” said Chief Deputy Charlie Phillips, a foundation committee member. “We do our best to help them out.”
For more information on the Union County First Responders Foundation or to make a donation, visit their website at www.firstresponderfoundation.com.
Kaitlyn Rigdon can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].