Thousands of dollars raised for Brady firefighter after home burns down

Aaron McGuire
·2 min read

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — A GoFundMe fundraiser is gaining traction in the community of Brady, Texas, after the home of a local firefighter and his family burned down on June 20.

The Brady Fire and EMS Department stated in a social media post that Ben West, one of its firefighters and paramedics, was on duty when his son called to tell him that their home had been lost to a fire. The building, along with all of the West family’s possessions, was lost in the blaze.

A GoFundMe fundraiser was set up in the aftermath of the inferno by Dwayne Cummings, who asked the community to rally around the family in its time of need.

“As you may or may not know, Ben is a career firefighter with 20 years of service to the community, and this loss is so hard when it hits so close to home,” the GoFundMe page reads. “Now, it’s our turn to support them during this incredibly challenging time. The fire has taken not only their home but also their sense of security and the place where countless memories were made.”

EXCLUSIVE: San Angelo high school grad shares battle with leukemia amid search for stem cell donor

The community has answered the call, it seems. The fundraiser has since raised over half of its $10,000 goal, pooling together $6,125 across 59 donations as of the time of publication.

The GoFundMe page states that all money raised by the campaign “will go directly towards helping rebuild their life.” It also lists some of the expenses the funds are expected to cover, which are as follows:

  • Temporary Housing: Providing a safe place to stay while they rebuild.

  • Basic Necessities: Clothing, toiletries and other essential items.

  • Furniture and Appliances: Replacing the essentials lost in the fire.

  • Rebuilding and Repairs: Contributing to the cost of restoring their home.

With thousands of dollars raised to help the West family rise from the ashes, the citizens of Brady — and, perhaps soon, the entire Concho Valley — have shown some Southern hospitality to one of its own.

“No donation is too small, and every bit helps. Even if you cannot donate, sharing this campaign with your network can make a huge difference,” the GoFundMe page reads. “Let’s come together to show that they are not alone and that their community stands with them.”

To support the fundraising effort, donate to the GoFundMe campaign or share it with others.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.