The following story was sent in by GRITZ reader and friend Darlene Fields, a Southern Rock kind of gal who works as an EMS worker on North Carolina. It's a story with a lot of heart. Check it out. -Buffalo
Our Story begins with Timmy Mooring, a professional and volunteer fire fighter whose life changed tragically when he was burned in an unfortunate accident at his residence on August 9, 2008. Professionally, Timmy is a Fire Control Specialist III of the City of Kinston Department of Public Safety, Fire and Rescue Division. In his spare time, Timmy is the Deputy Chief of Operations and Training at Sandy Bottom Volunteer Fire & Rescue in Kinston, NC, where he also serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors.
In August Timmy was accidentally burned by a debris fire in his yard. Lenoir County EMS Paramedics and his fellow firefighters from Sandy Bottom treated Timmy for the burns at the scene. Timmy was later air lifted to UNC – Chapel Hill Burn Center where he has been in the burn unit since that day. After his complete assessment, doctors found that Timmy was burned on over 50% of his body with second and third degree burns. The most severe burns were found on his right hand and arm, upper right torso and back. Other burns are located on his neck, face, head and thighs. Timmy is completely sedated and has been placed on a ventilator to help stabilize him and assist in his recovery. Thus far, Timmy has had one skin graft to his right arm, which has been successful. Future surgeries have been explained along with other medical procedures that may be required to assist with healing Timmy’s injuries. Timmy is expected to remain in the Burn Unit for at least three months and possibly longer.
Timmy is married to Kelly Mooring. Together they have a son who is 20 months old, along with three other children from previous marriages. As a paid and volunteer firefighter he is well respected in the fire service and has dedicated many hours as a firefighter whether it be paid or volunteer. Your thoughts and prayers are much needed for him and his family. Many have supported in presence and financially to assisted with Timmy and Hannah so far. A special thank you should be given to the Lenoir County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, the Kinston Professional Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 3015 and the Chapel Hill Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 2580 who have all helped the families and began the process for benefits
On July 22, 2008 God graced this world with a precious gift in the form of an angel, Hannah Beth Roddy. She is the daughter of Chris and Tracey Roddy and sweet little sister to her big brother Cooper. Her paternal grandparents are Gene Roddy and Sue Shirley Roddy and her maternal grandparents are Kendrick Harrison Jr. and Helen Smith Harrison. Hannah weighed in at 5lbs 4 oz and 19 inches long with dark brown hair and blue eyes. However she was found to have multiple congenital abnormalities at birth which included bilateral hip dislocation, a tethered spinal cord, cleft palate, knee hyperextension with bilateral epiphysea fractures and pulmonary hyperplasia. Since birth Hannah has been ventilator dependent with airway difficulties making her a candidate for possible tracheotomy. Due to the lack of pediatric specialists in Greenville, she has been transferred to UNC Children's Hosptial in Chapel Hill since August 13, 2008. Her mother is staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill to be by her side. The estimated time of hosptial stay is six months to a year, with long term care as the future sees it now. She has endured a lot in her short little time here. More than most children or adults will ever have to. Hannah is a strong little fighter with a courageous heart that refuses to give up. We truly believe that God is carrying her all the way and that he is holding her right hand. Chris and Tracey have been married for twelve years.
The Fire Fighters, EMS personell, Sherriff, and also Local Police from Kinston have all orgainzed an event for Novemeber 1st 2008 There are folks out there who call us heroes but I believe the credit for this event goes out to our bands and our community
There are four bands who we consider to be our heroes. They have agreed to help us out by giving of thier time and talent to make this endeavor become a realilty. We want to thank them from the bottom of our hearts and let them know just how much we appreciate them.
We had a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band to cancel on us less than a month from our event due to conflict with band members and managment. However, one day later another Skynyrd tribute band Tuesday's Gone stepped right up and filled the empty spot. We are so greatful to them even offering to get items for the silent auction. They have done a wonderful thing, as have all the bands, from helping to sell tickets, to announcing our event and hanging our posters at their shows. All the bands and southern rock fans have really shown some true love.
The Community has been so generous with items to aution off, to fund raisers of their own. Local churches are selling food at the fair and at street festivals for Hannah. The local hospital is also having bake sales.
There will be two poker runs. One in Kentucky and one in North Caolina. The Gerad Maggard Memorial Childrens Foudation in Kentucky has put together a poker run for Hannah on Oct 18 with proceeds going toward her medical expenses. There have been many angels helping. I am so proud to be so blessed with so many wonderful folks.
Registration for the North Carolina Poker Run will start at 9am at Grainger Stadium on Vernon Ave. in Kinston NC. All bikes out at 11am. The route will be around Lenoir County and end back up at Grainger Stadium. $10.00 per bike and $5.00 for a rider. Price includes a meal ticket. Additional poker hands will be $5.00. There will also be a 50/50 drawing.
There will also be a four band concert after the poker run at Grainger Stadium starting at 3pm. The bands include, The Southern Touch Band, Assembly Required, Alter Ego and the Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band Tuesday's Gone. Concert tickets are $10.00 in advance and $15.00 at the gate, also, VIP Box Seating upgrade at gate only for $15.00 extra the day of the event.Concessions will also be sold during the concert. All proceeds go to Timmy and Hannah. For more concert info and advance tickets contact Lynn Hill at lhill@wildblue.net or call 252-560-1181. For more info on the Poker Run contact Trauma at emtitrauma@yahoo.com advanced ticket available at Smith's Cafe..(Hwy 258 N), David Jones Automotive (Hwy 258 N), World Gym (Hull Road), Piggly Wiggly (Hwy 258N), Piggly Wiggly (at Plaza), Piggly Wiggly (Jacksons Crossroads), Paper Hero's at candy land in Vernon park mall and Picnic Basket (Glenwood ave.).
SILENT AUTION
We will have many music related items up for auction. These items have been donated by artists including Shenandoah, Ghost Riders, Jimmy Van Zant, Charlie Dainiels, Jo Jo Billingsley, Swampdawamp, and many more. There are also other items donated from local merchants including car window tinting, auto/home XM radio system, fire fighter helmets, leather biker chaps, lifetime wheel alignments, installation of keyless entry system for your car, and much more..
-Darlene “Ms. Rebyl” Stevens
jerseys1203 says...
Alex Ovechkin Jersey Alexander Semin Jersey Brooks Laich Jersey Hunter Jersey Jose Theodore Jersey Mike Green Jersey Mike Knuble Jersey Nicklas Backstrom Jersey Semyon Varlamov Jersey
says...
copperhead says...
Also I challenge everyone to give something. Lets make a difference. Southern Rockers are a community and a family.
rebyll says...
copperhead, send me an e-mail addy at rebyll@yahoo.com with your e-mail addy and snail mail addy where MsRebyll can send a letter and our physical addy. countryrocker1967, you sound local..... We'd love to meet up with ya..... send me an e-mail rebyll@yahoo.com
copperhead says...
Give me an address and I will donate something from my store to the silent auction. I will just need a letter stating what its for
countryrocker1967 says...
I will be at the show. Tuesdays Gone is the best of all the tribute bands. They rock.
tuckerhead says...
Its so cool that people still care enough to help others. Its a beautiful thing.
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