By Morgan Bryce
Editor
A GoFundMe account has been created to assist Smiths Station Fire Chief Joseph Walden and his family to cover the cost of smoke damage caused by a house fire at their home last week.
According to the description on the account page posted last Monday, “…even though the structure itself was saved the interior of the home was completely ruined due to smoke damage. Everything was a loss. He always bends over backwards for the community and everyone he knows in anyway he can. So now it’s our time to help Joseph and his family.”
Walden, a member of the SSFD for 25 years, has been fire chief for more than a decade and 10 years spent in the U.S. Navy.
During last Tuesday’s Smiths Station City Council meeting, Mayor Bubba Copeland asked council members and those gathered to keep the Walden family in their thoughts and prayers.
“We all know if you have a fire that insurance will not cover everything, I want to make that very clear. If you’re so inclined to give to the Walden family through the GoFundMe account, do so,” Copeland said. “He is a pillar of our city and also serves as president of the (Smiths Station) Water Board. He’s a great, great man and goes out of the way to help people if they ask him to.”
As of Monday, more than $1,600 of the $10,000 goal had been raised.
To donate, visit www.gofundme.com and search “Smiths Station Fire Chief’s House Fire.” For more information on the SSFD, like and follow their Facebook page.
