Flag pole at Recreation Center 9/11/25

During hurricane Helene, one member of our local firefighter family was seriously injured.

Ricky Freeman, a resident of McCormick County and a firefighter with the Bethia fire department, was struck by a tree that uprooted while he was clearing debris from a roadway in McCormick County.

He was initially paralyzed from the neck down, and the prognosis for recovery was bleak.

Upon hearing this, and considering the economic hardship he and his family would have to endure, the Sandy Branch Fire Department Chief and Board of Directors voted to donate all proceeds from the annual after Thanksgiving pancake breakfast, and supplementary funds to a total of $5000, to the family in order to help offset their medical costs.

Mr. Freeman has been in Atlanta at a care and rehab facility since the hurricane and just came home for the first time on February 8th. We asked if he could stop by the station so we could present him with the check, which we did.

I am happy to report that he is making progress but the road ahead will be long and arduous. 

Please keep Mr. Freeman and his family in your prayers.

Robert Morris, Chief                                                                                                                              

Sandy Branch Fire Department