Custom T-shirts that include the logos of both of Patrick Schultz’s fire departments are for sale with proceeds helping with medical and family expenses.
A fireman with the Pelham Batesville Fire Department (PBFD) and former volunteer at the Converse Fire Department in Cowpens, Schultz was piloting a plane that crashed and killed three of his relatives in Bay County, Fla., May 25.
"He will be isolated for a couple of weeks after the surgery except for his wife visiting,” said PBFD Assistant Fire Chief Carey Ballew.
Ballew said the fundraisers that are being held for Schultz helps with medical expenses and for his family to visit him at the Augusta (Ga.) Burn Center. “We’ve got to keep Patrick in our thoughts and prayers and remind the public their help is needed,” Ballew said.
Schultz has had several burn surgeries with some healing better than others. “He got up and took a few steps to a chair and sat up for a short time,” Ballew said. “He is eating some on his own but they want him to get more nutrition to be able to take the feeding tube out.”
Spartanburg and Greenville fire departments are helping to promote the fundraisers. “We’ve got a motorcycle group planning a poker run, the fire chiefs of both counties are holding a leather fire helmet giveaway and the Spartanburg Fire Department held a lunch fundraiser today,” Ballew said.
Custom T-shirts that include the logos of both of Schultz’s fire departments are for sale.