Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 02/25/2011 04:11 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 04/13/2011 07:36 PM
Expires: 01/01/2016 12:00 AM
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CAL Fire Trap Shoot Planned to Benefit Relay for Life Saturday April 16th!
Calaveras County, CA....
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The Ken Onstad Benevolent Fund was established in 1998 to assist employees of the Tuolumne/Calaveras Unit of the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection. Its primary purpose is to provide immediate assistance to employees and their families in the event of injury, illness, or any other tragic event that may occur.
Ken Onstad was a Battalion Chief with CDF. A Marine Corps Veteran of the Vietnam War, Ken made a career as a firefighter working mostly in Calaveras County. Rising through the ranks, he served as a Firefighter, Fire Apparatus Engineer, Fire Captain, and Battalion Chief. Ken considered his fellow employees family. He organized spring picnics and an annual winter dinner and dance, all to promote that sense of family. He felt it very important that not only the firefighters socialize together off the job, but that their spouses and children are included as well. His strong sense of duty and commitment to his extended family included the doctrine that “we take care of our own.” Ken didn’t just talk about it - he lived it - and could always be counted on when needed.
During the winter of 1998 Ken was critically injured in an accident at his home in Murphys, and was flown to UC Davis Med Center in Sacramento. Now, Ken and his family needed help. As family members arrived to be by Ken’s side, they needed motel rooms, feeding, and travel expenses, just to name a few. Coworkers and friends gathering at the hospital quickly recognized these needs and felt that the family should not to have to deal with such worries. The phone calls went out, the hat was passed, and the response was overwhelming. Basic needs for the family were taken care of, relieving that one bit of stress and allowing them to concentrate solely on Ken. Unfortunately, Ken succumbed to his injuries 4 days later.
It was in Ken’s memory that this original group decided that a fund bearing his name be established and maintained to assist Firefighters and their families in times of trouble. It was recognized that although such things as insurance and workers compensation would provide for a majority of issues, they were always slow to kick in. This fund would be a way to provide immediate assistance. Since it’s inception it has been utilized many times and has been a comfort and relief to many of the Tuolumne/Calaveras CDF Firefighting Family.
Many who have benefited from the fund generously donate back. Employees have the ability to donate as they see fit. The biggest source of contribution comes from a yearly fundraiser. This year’s event will be a Trap Shoot at Angels Gun Club on April 16th, 2011
We would like to invite you to help support your local community of CDF Firefighters. Any gift that you might be able to provide for the auction or raffle would be greatly appreciated and is tax deductible.
On behalf of the CDF Firefighters of Tuolumne & Calaveras Counties, thank you for your consideration!
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