Foundation formed to support, recognize first responders

Yahoo09-05-2025

TUPELO – A tragic helicopter crash led to the formation of a new foundation that honors, supports and promotes the region's first responders.
Kelley Burleson, a paramedic for Pafford ambulance service, was a partner with Jakob Kindt for two years before he joined an air ambulance crew with the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He was one of three people killed in a March 10 helicopter crash near Jackson.
'After his death, there were so many wonderful comments on Facebook. But why does that only happen when a tragedy strikes,' Burleson said. 'I wanted to let the general public know the names and faces of first responders. I wanted a way to show appreciation for first responders, the dispatchers, firemen, police, deputies, and medics.'
So she reached out to some friends and together they formed the First Responders Foundation. The organization not only recognizes but also gives financial and emotional support to emergency workers.
The foundation will focus on Lee and its surrounding counties for now, but the eventual goal is to go statewide.
The group plans to start giving awards in the next few months to recognize those who have gone above and beyond.
'We want to recognize the ones who do this every day,' Burleson said. 'There are not a lot of 'thank yous' in this business. But there is a lot of emotional and physical strain on the mind and the body to knowingly get up every morning and put yourself in stressful situations to help others.'
Besides the awards, the group hopes to offer scholarships to students looking to go into the field. The goal is to also be able to provide funds to injured first responders or to the families of responders who lose their lives in the line of duty.
Recently, a retired first responder hurt her leg and couldn't get around her house. Burleson went onto Facebook and quickly was able to get a wheelchair donated for her.
The foundation is still in the organizational phase.
'We are accepting small donations and did a shirt sale,' Burleson. 'I have already had to turn down some people who wanted to make a sizable donation. I don't want to do that until we get our nonprofit status. We are working on that right now.'
Next weekend, the foundation is hosting its first event. Around three dozen crafts vendors will set up at Saltillo City Park, along with bouncy houses, face painting and food trucks. The free event will be May 17 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
This fall, the foundation will host the EMS games, a light-hearted but extremely competitive team contest.
'First responders are very competitive and whoever wins will get the bragging trophy,' Burleson said.
Those interested can keep up with the group through the First Responders Foundation page on Facebook. It is just a few months old, but the page has already had more than 140,000 views.
'This is my first time to do anything like this and it has taken off,' Burleson said. 'I am happily overwhelmed.'

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Widow Demands Her Kids Get a Share of Late Husband's Ashes Despite His Dying Wish Stating Otherwise

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an hour ago

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Widow Demands Her Kids Get a Share of Late Husband's Ashes Despite His Dying Wish Stating Otherwise

Her father wanted her to have half his ashes, while the other half would go to his wife Despite legal protection of his wishes, her stepmother keeps harassing her to divide her portion She's accused of punishing her half-siblings, but says she's just honoring her dad — and protecting her peaceA woman turns to the Reddit community for support after a deeply personal family dispute over her late father's ashes leaves her feeling conflicted and alone. In her post, she shares that her dad's passing has reopened old wounds, especially regarding her relationship with his second wife and their children. 'My dad died recently and he appointed his brother, my uncle, to ensure his final wishes were respected,' she writes. She explains that her father was married twice: first to her mother, who passed away when she was 3, and then to his second wife, whom he married when she was 15. The relationship with her stepmother was never easy, and the arrival of her half-siblings did little to bridge the gap. 'Dad and I had a solid relationship but she and I did not and I really never had one with the other kids either,' the woman reveals. Her father's final wishes were clear and carefully planned. 'His wishes were for half his ashes to go to his wife so she could start a grave for them and the other half was for me so he could also be with mom,' she explains, adding, 'My mom was cremated too and I have her ashes as well.' This arrangement, however, did not sit well with her father's widow, who tried to claim all the ashes for herself. 'But my dad had planned everything and had legally ensured his wishes were followed with the help of my uncle,' she notes, grateful for the foresight that protected her father's intentions. After the funeral, she made the difficult decision to cut off contact with her stepmother in an attempt to seek peace and closure for herself. Regardless, her stepmom has contacted her "at least 11 times," saying that she "needs to share my half of the ashes with my half-siblings because they have none and we each have half." She tried to block her stepmother, but the messages kept coming from new numbers, making it impossible to escape the pressure. 'I am trying to get my number changed but I use this phone for work too so I need a process of approval to do it,' she explains. Her aunt, her father's sister, also got involved in the conflict, suggesting that they "combine dad's ashes and split them four ways so everyone gets the same amount." When the poster said no, her aunt said that she "shouldn't take my hatred of wife number two out on the kids." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The aunt also voiced her disapproval over the poster's decision to cut ties with her stepmom and half-siblings. However, the poster has done her best to make it clear that her boundaries are about self-preservation, not spite. Now she's wondering if her refusal to share her half of her father's ashes makes her the villain in this painful family saga. However, most commenters suggested that her stepmom simply shares her portion of the ashes with their children, noting that it's not the poster's "responsibility." "You share my thoughts," the poster replied. "It makes more sense that way seeing as they're her kids and she wants them to have their own share." In response to another user, the woman further explains that her late dad "wanted to honor both [his] wives," which was why "he chose to have his ashes with both." Read the original article on People