Community members gathered Sunday to support an injured firefighter.
First responders and other friends of Tim Hays came together at 54 Country to eat chili and raise money for Hays' family. The North Callaway Fire Protection District volunteer was injured Oct. 5 while responding to a fire caused by a lightning strike.
"(Tim's wife) Lisa was telling us the other day, she always heard Tim talking about how (the agencies) are just one big family, but she'd never seen the depths of it before now," said Kayla Stobbart, a NCFPD volunteer who helped organize the event.
Stobbart also works for Callaway County EMS and Callaway County Dispatch, and volunteers with the South Callaway Fire Protection District. She said members of every fire and law enforcement agency in Callaway County, EMS, Staff for Life and a few others from outside of the county all came to the event.
The first responder community in Callaway County is close-knit, Stobbart said.
"We see things that a lot of people don't see," she added. "We have to be there for each other. We have an understanding that we're all on the same team. As you run calls and work with people, you build closer bonds."
The fundraiser included a silent auction, a raffle and a "Touch-a-Truck" event featuring response vehicles from many agencies. A helicopter also stopped by. In total, it raised more than $6,000. Stobbart thanked the community for their generosity.
"I was shocked that it was that much," Stobbart said. "I almost don't have words."
A second fundraiser through Facebook raised just more than $7,000.
Leftover food was donated to the Fulton free store, From His House to Your House, run by Connie Cashion. The store distributes to people in need.
"We 911 personnel wanted to show the community that no matter what badge we have when it comes down to it, it doesn't matter," Stobbart said. "We can all come together and be able to support the family."
Hays is slowly recovering from the head trauma caused by a falling branch.
"He's speaking a little bit," Stobbart said. "They're working on his dexterity. Last week, he was able to get up with assistance and take a step with a walker. It's going to definitely take some time."
Stobbart added that on Monday, Hays was flown to Colorado to undergo physical rehabilitation.