SEYMOUR – The community came out in force Dec. 30, opening their wallets to come to help a Seymour firefighter’s family make it through a crisis.
The boot drive’s proceeds are going toward the medical bills of the family of Mike Russell, a 16-year member of Citizen’s Engine Co. No. 2.
It raised about $30,000.
Seymour Fire Chief Chris Edwards said he couldn’t be more proud of the community’s response.
“It was amazing to see the outpouring of support from residents all over the Valley,” Edwards told the Valley Indy via a text message. “It impresses me that when someone is in need, the Valley always steps up. And to see the other departments pitch in shows the brotherhood and sisterhood.”
According to the fire department’s Facebook post, Mike Russell’s wife, Jessica, was due with the couple’s second child at the end of this February.
During a regular check-up, doctors discovered the baby had a tumor in his right lung. A plan to closely monitor the baby at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was put into action.
Another check-up in early December found the mass shifted to the baby’s heart. When a plan was being developed to overcome that obstacle, Jessica Russell went into premature labor.
Mikey Russell was born at just 27 weeks, three months premature, weighing in at 3 lbs., 1 oz.
Baby Mikey had surgery at just two days old to remove the mass on his lung, a dangerous procedure.
The baby not only survived, but his parents are saying he’s growing stronger day by day.
Edwards and his fellow firefighters realize the road ahead for the Russell family is going to be a long one. Mike Russell is here during the week to work and take care of the couple’s two-year old daughter, in between hospital trips. Jessica Russell is in Philadelphia full-time for at least the next two months as the baby continues to defy the odds.
The boot drive was staged to help the Russells with mounting hospital bills.
For four hours Dec. 30, the Seymour Fire Department, along with members of Seymour Ambulance Association, Seymour Police Department and volunteer firefighters from Ansonia, Beacon Falls and Oxford, stood along Route 67/Bank Street bridge, the Route 8 overpass, near Tri-Town Plaza and on the Broad Street bridge, collecting donations.
The Valley Indy reached out to Mike Russell for a comment but didn’t hear back. Jessica Russell said in a Facebook post, following the boot drive, that the family was grateful.
“Overwhelmed is an understatement. The people in this community have gone above and beyond in supporting us and our family. It is truly amazing. All we can say is thank you, thank you, thank you,” she wrote.
Edwards said people who were unable to make it to the boot drive, but would still like to help, can make monetary donations via Venmo as well as by personal check through the fire department.
Those interested in donating via Venmo can send to Venmo @C2treasury, with the note “Russell Family.” Those who’d like to donate via personal check can make check payable to “Citizens Engine Co.,” and mail to Citizens Engine Co., 26 DeForest St., Seymour, CT 06483, and put “Mike Russell” in the memo line.
