Firefighter Dany Menard of Barrow County Emergency Services has a very personal reason for wanting to assist with the disaster relief in Haiti.
Menard’s mother and uncle live on the earthquake ravaged island. Though he has not spoken with either of them since the quake, he received word that both survived. His uncle is already at work helping with the ongoing rescue efforts.
“When Dany asked to take a leave of absence from the Department to go to Haiti, it was given without any hesitation,” said interim Chief John Skinner. “I am very proud that a member of our department wanted to go and assist in this major disaster, and I cannot imagine what Dany is going through with his family in the area.”
Menard will serve as a firefighter and EMT while in Haiti. He will join other rescue workers enroute to the island to assist the thousands of homeless and injured residents.
With an estimated forty to fifty thousand people killed by the quake, trained volunteers such as Dany are very needed. “We will all keep Dany Menard in our prayers and thoughts,” Skinner said. “As well as his family and everyone that has been touched by this disaster.”
Menard is paying his own way to Haiti and will not be receiving a paycheck while he is gone. Barrow County employees have already raised $500 to help Menard pay his expenses while he is serving in Haiti.
Menard also received a donation from a local Boy Scott troop. The Boy Scouts of America Pack 1597, den 12 of Duncan Creek School were taking a tour of station 5 when Menard stopped by on his way out of town. When the scouts heard about what Menard and his family were going through, they donated an additional $100.
Menard told the scouts the money would help him keep his bills paid and allow him to focus on the work he was going to Haiti to do.
Barrow County employees will continue to raise money to help Menard stay current on his bills while he is in Haiti. Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation should contact Barrow County Emergency Services at 770-307-2987 Ext. 3.
