Fill the Helmet a success in the South Valley
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Leon S. Peters Burn Center nurse manager Sandra Yovino (right) raises funds in the South Valley Sept. 17, with Tulare City Fire Capt. Luis Nevarez, who was a patient six years ago in the burn center. |
Added to the $98,000 collected on Sept. 10 at the North Valley’s Fill the Helmet, firefighters and volunteers raised more than $122,000 for burn survivors at Community Regional Medical Center’s Leon S. Peters Burn Center.
Fill the Helmet began more than eight years ago by Fresno Fire Captain Chuck Leach and burn center nurse manager Sandra Yovino to annually raise funds for burn survivors.
“It’s a natural match. We work hand-in-hand together, so it was just a perfect partnership,” Yovino said. “They rescue the burn survivors, and we take over from there with the medical treatment. It’s an awesome team.”
Local firefighters and the burn team are committed to Fill the Helmet because they see firsthand the impact it has on the lives of burn survivors – young and old, Yovino said. Not only does it help raise much-needed funds, but it helps raise awareness of burn prevention.
The funds have been used in the past to purchase specialized burn surgical equipment as well as resources needed for the care of children with burn injuries.
This story was reported by Mary Lisa Russell. She can be reached at mrussell@communitymedical.org