By Dawn Krebs
dkrebs@hometownnewsol.com
ST. LUCIE COUNTY -- A firefighter who continually put others before himself will be the next recipient of a Van Duzer Foundation fundraiser on Jan. 30.
Jahwann Mcintyre, a 22-year-old firefighter with the Martin County Fire Department, was critically injured on Dec. 27 while fighting a house fire. He was burned over 50 percent of his body, and has spent the last month having to undergo a variety of skin grafts at Jackson Memorial Burn Unit in Miami.
But the medical costs are starting to pile up and that prompted the Van Duzer Foundation to hold a fundraiser to help Mr. Mcintyre, who has volunteered and helped with the foundation's previous events.
"We've been contacted by a number of fire stations from all over the state who want to help out with this," said Scott Van Duzer, founder of the foundation.
"It's important to us, because of his volunteer work, that we make sure we give back to him. We're expecting a big turnout."
The fundraiser will take place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Big Apple Pizza and Pasta, 2311 S. 35th St., Fort Pierce. One hundred percent of the proceeds, including food and beverages sales, salaries and tips, will all go toward Mr. Mcintyre's care.
The Florida Blood Center will have a bloodmobile at the event and will be accepting blood donations that day.
For more information, call Mr. Van Duzer at (772) 528-3467.