CLAYTON – The Clayton community is rallying around the Clayton Fire Department struggling with an outbreak of COVID-19. Seventeen of the 41 full-time firefighters on the department have confirmed cases. The spouse of one firefighter was also diagnosed with COVID.
On Monday, Clayton Fire Chief Lee Barbee and Mayor Jody McLeod held a press conference to discuss the challenges the department is now facing, while at the same time trying to support their co-workers and families.
The Clayton Firefighters Association and the community are doing all they can to help them.
Clayton High School is accepting donated items and gift cards. Items can be dropped off at the high school gymnasium between 8:00-10:00am and 1:00pm-3:00pm Monday through Friday. Signs will be posted on campus. Items will be placed in carts to be wheeled into the school and detoxed before distribution, a set-up the school has already been using to detox school supplies.
First Citizens Bank of Clayton has established an online link for monetary donations. The donations will assist with medical bills, gas to and from the hospital, and everyday expenses while they are out of work and recovering. All money collected will be going directly to the families.
As of Thursday morning $4,050.25 in monetary donations had been received. The Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department has donated $2,500. The Kenly Volunteer Fire Department has donated $250. The NC Firefighters Peer Support Group has given $500.
Image Builders Embroidery of Clayton has created t-shirts with 100 percent of the money for the first 100 sold going to the Clayton Firefighters Association to give directly to those struggling with COVID-19. $5 will be donated for every t-shirt sold after the first 100. Shipping is included.
Medicals bills will pile up as one firefighter has been hospitalized for a week. Keep ALL of them in your prayers!
