Mehlville Fire Fighters Raise $30,000 for Injured Soldier

October 4, 2010 – After Marine Corporal Todd Nicely –the grandson of Mehlville, MO Local 1889 retired charter member Russ Bono – lost his arms and legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan, the members of Mehlville Local 1889 did not hesitate to offer their assistance.

Local 1889 members, with some help from Faith Lutheran Church, organized a two-day benefit to help the Nicely family with medical expenses. The event raised $30,000.

“What the members of Local 1889 did for this young marine was truly a selfless act,” says IAFF 2nd District Vice President Mark Woolbright. “Someone needed their help and they just gave it.”

“I am so proud of what my small local of 120 was able to accomplish,” says Local 1889 President Nick Fahs. “It was a lot of work, but worth it.”

Todd Nicely’s story began before he joined the marines. His plan was to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps by becoming a marine and then a fire fighter. But that plan changed in March 2010, near the end of his tour in Afghanistan. While on patrol, Nicely was crossing a bridge in the lead position when an IED exploded. The blast took Nicely’s legs and arms.

He returned home to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC, to be fitted with prosthetics and to learn how to perform life skills using those prosthetics.

“Bono came to me and asked if Local 1889 would be willing to provide some financial assistance for his grandson,” says Fahs. “I told him that we would do better than that.”

Local 1889 reached out to Faith Lutheran Church, requesting the use of its parking lot for a fundraiser. The church said yes and also provided assistance getting banners, permits and workers.

At the event, there was enough barbeque for 3,500 people, a car show, military display and bounce houses for kids.

“We sent out a request to other IAFF affiliates in the area to bring their apparatus and we got a great response,” says Fahs. “Some 18 departments sent fire equipment to the event.”

The fire fighters also planned a big surprise for Nicely. They made him an honorary fire fighter and member of Local 1889. “A fire chief from one of our neighboring fire districts, Chief Neil Svetanics, and I presented Todd with a helmet and two plaques,” says Fahs. “There was not a dry eye in the parking lot.”

After the fundraiser, Nicely went back to Walter Reed to continue his therapy.