YFD to hold fundraiser for crew member

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Usually the Yuma Fire Department (YFD) helps the community. This time, they are the ones calling for help.

Capt. Gary Welch has served with the department for over 20 years. In the last few weeks, Capt. Welch has been battling a severe illness and was recently admitted to a Tucson hospital.

To help with this cause, the department is holding a lunch fundraiser.

Francisco Leon, Public Information Officer for YFD, shared what Welch has mean to the crew and also the community.

"He was a fire captain and technical rescue technician. So, he would take care of all the training needs for the fire department, for the professional services division. But yeah, he's just served this community again for over 20 years. He's also a U.S. Marine. So a good person all around," Leon said.

The department will be providing a spaghetti lunch next Thursday, July 30 from 11 a.m. To 1 p.m.

Meals are available via drive-thru pickup for ten dollars.

"Also we'd like to set a deadline of buying tickets for Tuesday July 28 at 5 p.m, the end of business hours. And the reason for the deadline is trying to get the most accurate number as possible so we can get the right amount of food and then all the rest of the money can go to Gary and his family," Leon explained.

The cost is $10. To purchase tickets, visit the Fire Administration, located on the second floor of Yuma City Hall.

For more information about the lunch, contact Deputy Fire Chief Richard Root at 928-373-4859 or Richard.Root@yumaaz.gov.