Firefighters set to Deliver Presents to Hennepin Healthcare Burn Center Patients
For the 11th year in a row, first responders will help to spread some holiday cheer by delivering gifts to Hennepin Healthcare’s Burn Center patients and providing meals for the frontline staff on Thursday, December 22.
Founder and Executive Director, Jake LaFerriere said, “This annual tradition of bringing gifts to the Burn Center patients started the year I was a patient in 2010. My world had changed overnight and I was pushing through unimaginable and indescribable pain every hour of every day for months. Those who helped me through the darkest days were my family, close friends, the nurses and fire community. That first Christmas Blessing in 2010, was my way to thank the nurses and Burn Center teams for all they did and do. It was a blessing TO me to be able to pay it forward. I wanted to provide love, hope, and a pick me up to the burn survivors and their families. It truly aligns with the reason for the season and helps families know they are not alone.”
What You Will See: At 10 a.m., gift bags and wrapped gifts will be loaded onto one or more fire trucks at the Transitional Healing Center (650 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55415). The crew will then make their way to Hennepin Healthcare – arriving at 11 a.m. on 6th St South in between Park Ave. and Chicago Ave. next to Hennepin Healthcare’s 717 S. 6th St. entrance, where volunteers will line the sidewalk to wave to the patients peering from the 4th floor windows. Nurses and staff will be curbside with carts ready to transport gifts from the rig to the Burn Unit.
Why they give: “Helping families through the multiple stages of grief and healing is what we do. Each year as this gifting event has grown and impacted more families and new frontline staff, they repeatedly tell us that this simple act of kindness means the world to them,” said Jake LaFerriere, Founder of Firefighters for Healing and former Minneapolis firefighter. “Donating to support our mission to provide for burn survivor families and injured firefighters is something everyone can help us with. Visit firefightersforhealing.org.”
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About Firefighters For Healing
Firefighters For Healing supports burn survivors and helps firefighters and first responders pivot after a line of duty injury by providing their families with meals, no cost emergency housing, support and resources while they are receiving medical care in the Twin Cities. We meet and serve families 24/7 and 365 days a year from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. This non-profit 501(C)(3) charitable organization thrives on community partnerships, volunteer support and fundraising events. Visit firefightersforhealing.org to learn more.
About the Burn Center at Hennepin Healthcare
The Burn Center at Hennepin Healthcare is nationally recognized for its expertise in treating burn patients of all ages. Staffed by specially trained burn care nurses and physicians, the 18-bed inpatient unit and ambulatory care clinic provide comprehensive burn care to patients from throughout the Midwest.
Media Contacts:
Paula Wilhelm, Board Member | [email protected] | Mobile: 952-220-0096
Christine Hill, Hennepin Healthcare Media Relations | [email protected] | Mobile: 612-919-8711
