By By Fredie Carmichael/staff writer
Feb. 1, 2002
Money local firefighters helped raise last year is already being put to use to help save the lives of burn victims.
In November, the Meridian Fire Department presented the Mississippi Firefighters' Memorial Burn Center in Greenville with a check for $6,600.
Sandy Johnson, director of the Firefighters Burn Association, said hundreds of fire victims from around the state who can't afford the costly medical bills from hospital care have already been helped through the donation from the fire department.
Meridian firefighters raised the money from two volunteer events held last year, a golf tournament and the sale of beverages at the Montgomery Gentry concert last October.
Assistant Fire Chief Sammy Foy said the bulk of the donation $5,300 came from the drinks sold at the concert and through an additional contribution from Squealer's Barbecue.
Johnson said the generous contribution is "much needed" by the center, a private organization that operates from contributions given by volunteer groups, companies and county and city governments.
Foy said the idea for the concert beverage sales came from a firefighters union meeting, and was presented by firefighter Randy Touchton and Michael Davis from Magnolia Beverage Co. About 20 firefighters volunteered their time to sell the drinks at the concert, Foy said.