We are introduced most often to burn survivors and their families by the Burn Unit staff in the first few days or weeks after their burn trauma. We do our best to listen to the need, bring comfort and provide hope.

Thank you for inviting us to stay in housing. It was so helpful to have a consistent, safe place to stay when you are dealing with a traumatic event. One less thing to worry about was a blessing. I sincerely want to thank the F4H team for coming to my rescue. We were so blessed to have connected with you! Thank you for the lodging at The Drury Inn, your encouraging texts and the thoughtful care package. I so appreciated your encouraging texts and prayers giving me support during such a difficult time. ~ The R Family

On the unfortunate afternoon of June 17, our brother was in our Fargo, ND kitchen. Just like any other day he was making a snack. He put some oil in the pan and waited for it to heat up. But the next thing he saw was a huge flame that burst out of the pan. He turned the stove off and rushed to grab the fire extinguisher. He put the pan on the ground and as he rushed to grab the extinguisher, he hit the pan with his leg and the oil spilled all over his legs and hand. Right away we called the paramedics. He was taken to Sanford Health but the team there said they had no way of dealing with such a severe burn wound. He had to be airlifted to Hennepin Healthcare. Our sister came with him without any preparation to spend days in the hospital let alone a few weeks.

Upon arrival, the doctors feared the burn wounds he had suffered were most likely 3rd degree burns and it would take some time to heal. A kind nurse visited to explain how Firefighters For Healing could help members of our family. This was a blessing sent from above. Without this assistance we could not afford to stay with/near our brother.

The place we called home during our stay in Minneapolis was truly a home away from home. It provided us with everything we needed to help our brother through such a difficult time. There aren’t enough words in English that we can use to express gratitude towards your organization and your volunteer Paula. She welcomed us with open arms and made us feel at home. ~ The A Family

When our dad came down here over 2 months ago, I never would have imagined all of the GREAT people we would have today. I cannot thank F4H enough for helping our mom. My family is so very lucky to have this support system and use of the suite. Thank you VERY much for everything, The S Family

On May 15, 2021 my daughter fell into a fire pit and burnt her left arm. I was walking back to my hotel on one of the first days in town and bumped into another burn unit family who told me about Firefighters For Healing. Knowing we would have an extended stay for skin grafting, I reached out. It has been such a blessing to be so close and feel comfortable and safe. Thank you! ~ The K family

On April 8, 2021 my husband was in a work related accident and sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns to 40% of his body. He has undergone 5 surgeries. After being at Hennepin Healthcare for 71 days, we are finally going home to be reunited with our two daughters. It has been such a blessing to have the Firefighters For Healing suite to come to after long hours at the hospital. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this beautiful place and everything you do for families. The first time our nurse told us about Jake and everything Firefighters For Healing does for families, i cried. This world needs more heroes like JAKE! Firefighters For Healing really is a lifesaver. Keep up the amazing work! ~ The S Family

On March 5, 2021 my husband was flown to Hennepin Healthcare after a workplace fire. Being able to stay one block away from the hospital with my 8 year old and 5 month old made this horrible time much more manageable. My husband’s face and throat have healed well and his skin graft on his hands are looking well enough to discharge. We are forever thankful to Firefighters For healing who saved us the expense of a hotel stay and the drive time going back and forth from our home 3 hours away. Words will never express our gratitude. Thank you, thank you! ~ The B Family

Thank you so much for allowing us to stay in the suites. It was an enormous weight off my shoulders. Jake and Paula were so kind and helpful throughout our stay. You are doing a great thing for burn survivor families, thank you! ~ The B Family

Thank you Firefighters For Healing for helping me during my daughter’s stay at Region’s Hospital. When you helped me with accommodations that I just did not know how to do on my own, you gave me a virtual hug that meant so much. Bless you for listening to my tears and being patient with my questions! You have provided such JOY for us to hope for a better tomorrow. ~ The R Family

Thank you so very much for the care and love you have all shown to my great nephew. Not being able to see him is hard but seeing how he and my sister/his grandma have been taken care of gives us peace. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless all of you. ~ The M Family

I am the aunt of a burn unit patient who received a gift right before Christmas 2020. I'd like to express our deepest thanks and gratitude to everyone involved in today, as well as his recovery. You all are angels on earth and we appreciate how you love on him when we are unable to be there. T.H.A.N.K. Y.O.U. ~ The R Family

Thank you for making Christmas for our cousin a little brighter while he is on the road to recovery. Amazing what you are doing for patient families!! THANK YOU!!!! ~ The H Family

“My 85 year old husband was in a fire cause by a gas explosion. Someone in the ICU Burn Unit told us about Firefighters for Healing. I cannot begin to tell you what a blessing your support and apartment have been. I am grateful for being so close to the hospital. I am fortunate to have has so many family and friends reach out to help us. Your generosity has made this unfortunate accident more bearable.” With sincere gratitude, the K Family

”I want to thank you for the kind and wonderful offer of the apartment while my husband was recovering at Hennepin Healthcare in 2019. It is now November 2020. He is home now and doing very well. The amazing apartment helped my family have a home base during his weeks in the hospital. Thank you!” ~ The B Family

“As I sit here with tear filled eyes and all, this is just one of many times I will be thanking you for what you have done for not only me but my family. My 6 month old son was air lifted down here on Friday (10/16) from Hillsboro ND to the Hennepin Burn Center. We did not have a clue about what to do or how to do it. We were contacted by Firefighters for Healing offering to help. At the time I wasn’t sure what that all meant but as the days passed I was stunned by the help with accommodations, the gift basket and gift cards. We are eternally grateful for your work and what you’ve done so far. I can’t thank you enough for what you have done and I promise that from now on I will be donating regularly to this foundation and sending cards of thanks from our family. Really can’t thank you enough. There will be a more formal thank you once things settle down but I had to get this off my chest and let you know that the work you have done for us is not going unnoticed.” ~ The A Family

God bless you and the Firefighters For Healing team. What happened to our toddler was the worst thing our family has ever dealt with. You made a very difficult time in our lives a whole lot easier. Thank you for all that you do. ~ The S Family

“When I couldn’t discharge to my home because it wasn’t accessible, I was so lucky Firefighters for Healing gave me shelter. It was a great place for healing amidst the coronavirus pandemic and rioting over George Floyd’s death. I especially appreciated a wall hanging that described Firefighters for Healing so well.. “Where there is hope, there is faith. Where there is faith, miracles happen”  ~ The W Family 6-6-20

“I am so thankful for the respite from the burn unit noise. I had such a great night’s sleep. it truly is a beautiful home away from home while my husband recovered from a leg injury. “ ~ The R family

“Thank you for letting us stay here while our son had laser treatment.
It was very helpful to be so close!” ~ The Y family

“I would like to thank Firefighters For Healing. Lucas absolutely LOVED his gifts and I can’t wait to show the girls their birthday baskets. I am so thankful for the backpack of care items for me. As the mom, this brought me to tears that you would care for a stranger in this loving way.” Thank you! ~ The R Family June 2020

“Thank you for the wonderful accommodations. It was greatly appreciated!”
~ The M Family

“Staying within walking distance of the hospital was a gift. Jacob was in a medical induced coma so being able to take a hot shower and grab a nap provided the energy we needed to deal with the decisions and paperwork. We are forever thankful.” ~ The T Family

“The apartment helped us keep our family together and close to the hospital if we had to race back for any status changes or updates. It is such a beautiful place to recharge that has provided the strength and hope to get through this time. Thank you for blessing our family.” ~ The J Family

“THANK YOU for setting up family housing where we have a familiar place to return to. Since you have been open, we have been there for 3 different visits/medical procedures. We quickly realized that our burn trauma will forever dictate where we spend our time trying to repair our son and prepare him for growing up with his scars. Your support and love has meant the world to each of us in a different way.” ~ The S Family

“We are deeply grateful to Jake and
his donors for the lifeline they provided for our family.

When our daughter was injured, we were totally overwhelmed. She was flown from Duluth to receive the level 1 trauma care at Hennepin Healthcare. We were 2000 miles away at the time. Once we landed in Minneapolis, we did not have a support network until Jake and Firefighters for Healing
offered us a stable home and unwavering support.

They really provided the unconditional love of a family who came around us in our time of need.

When my daughter was finally discharged from the hospital we had the choice to either put her into a nursing home or try to take care of her with the hospital’s support. We could not wrap our heads around this when our homes and jobs were in another state. Without the Firefighters for Healing temporary apartment, just one block from the hospital, we are confident our daughter would not have made the progress she has.

We are forever thankful to the volunteers, medical teams, donors
and Jake for all of the attention and support. It has made the world of difference.”
- The P Family