Last Updated on September 18, 2024 by Luke Feldbrugge
The Ormond Beach Firefighters Charities, located in Ormond Beach, FL is a firefighter nonprofit organized in 2026 that provides support to first responder families, including both firefighters and law enforcement, and also community families and local events when support is needed or during challenging times. Because of Ormond Beach Firefighter Charities and a grant from the Homes for Heroes Foundation, some of the financial burden on Ethan Wilson’s family will be further relieved.
Ormond Beach Firefighter Charities Grant Check Presentation with Jay Flynn
The Homes for Heroes Foundation awarded the Ormond Beach Firefighter Charities a $5,000 hero grant to provide support for firefighter Ethan Wilson’s family, after Ethan lost his life.
Jay Flynn, Foundation Director with Homes for Heroes, meets with Carrie Davis with Ormond Beach Firefighter Charities; David Randall, President of the Ormond Beach Firefighters Union; Nick Nates, Engineer with Ormond Beach Fire Department, and Homes for Heroes real estate specialist, Karisa Newman to briefly discuss Ormond Beach Firefighter Charities and how the funds received from the Homes for Heroes Foundation grant will assist Ethan’s family during this challenging time.
You can watch the full interview here or read the transcript of the interview below.
Jay: Hello, and thanks for joining us today. I’m Jay Flynn, Director of the Homes for Heroes Foundation. I’m joined today by Carrie Davis with Ormond Beach Firefighter Charities. Also here is Homes for Heroes real estate specialist, Karisa Newman. David Randall, and he’s the President of the Ormond Beach Firefighters Union. And then Engineer, Nick Nates with Ormond Beach Fire Department. It’s my honor to be with you all today.
As part of the Homes for Heroes Circle of Giving, the Homes for Heroes Foundation provides grants to nonprofits whose missions are to help all heroes in dire need. Carrie, David and Nick; Karisa and I are honored to present this $5,000 Homes for Heroes Foundation grant to the Ormond Beach Firefighter Charities. Congratulations!
Let’s take a couple of minutes and talk about the great work that you all are doing for our heroes in the community at Ormond Beach Firefighter Charities. So Carrie, tell us about Ormond Beach Firefighter Charities. How it came to be and its mission of service?
Carrie: Absolutely. The Ormond Beach Firefighter Charities was organized in 2016 as a nonprofit by the Ormond Beach firefighters to support local people in need. We actually have donated to local charity events, helped fill the gap during structure fires for immediate funds, and car accidents. And, we have donated to the police department and to local charities and food banks. So we’ve been able to do some great stuff with the charity.
Jay: So Ormond Beach Firefighter Charities not only take care of your own and support that firefighter’s family, you’re also supporting your law enforcement partners, and you’re supporting the community, and it’s all about giving back.
So, Karisa, you’re a big supporter of heroes like those there with the Ormond Beach Fire Department and Firefighter Charities. As a Homes for Heroes real estate specialist, give us a little bit about why this is so important to you.
Karisa: Well, as a former teacher who is married to a police county deputy here, I have the opportunity to help heroes when they buy and sell homes, and have gifted over $70,000 back to heroes in the last couple of years. And through every transaction, a part of it is donated to the Homes for Heroes Foundation and that is why we are here today.
But as I work with the heroes, I have a unique experience to be able to get to know them one on one on a personal level, and sometimes see the financial struggles that they’re going through, or just the personal dynamics of what a first responder’s life entails. So having charities like this who are able to step in, in times of hardship is truly amazing and invaluable to our community. And as a community, it really brings in a sense of togetherness and solidarity throughout the first responder world.
Jay: Well, Karisa, thank you for doing what you’re doing. It’s because of great Homes for Heroes affiliates like you all over the country that the Homes for Heroes Foundation is able to support organizations like Ormond Beach Firefighter Charities with everything we do. We appreciate you tremendously.
So, we’re honored to present this $5,000 grant to you, Carrie. And I know it has a very special purpose. Tell us a little bit about how these funds are going to be used.
Carrie: Yes, the entirety of the funds are going to go to firefighter Ethan Wilson’s family, his wife, Ashley, and son, Coast.
Jay: So, David, Nick, you know, Ethan has been gone now for one year since his accident. I know he means a lot to you guys and his family means a lot to you guys. So what does this grant support mean to you guys and to the fire department family?
David: Sure. It means the world to us. Ethan was such a special person in our department and in our family. So to still see support for Ethan and his family a year later, really means a lot. Ethan was an excellent firefighter, excellent husband and father, and he was truly the best of us. And to see the support for him a year later, means the world to us.
Jay: Absolutely. Nick, I’ll just say, from my perspective, Ethan on your shoulder because his picture is behind you right there.
Nick: Yeah. Ethan was proud to be a firefighter. But as I said before, Ethan was more proud to be a father and a husband than most people. My wife, she trains Ashley and Megan, Ethan’s sister. And my wife is the one that constantly reminds us, it’s about honoring Ashley, Coast and Megan now. That’s how you honor Ethan. And this money will help tremendously.
Jay: Absolutely. We’re so blessed and honored to be able to help out for sure. My prayers, the whole team at Homes Heroes are with you guys, and Ashley and the family, as you heal from Ethan’s loss.
So, Carrie, I know you have a Facebook page through the Ormond Beach Professional Firefighters 3499. So I’ve got that link shared so folks can learn more about what you guys are doing. You guys are a great nonprofit doing so much to support the community. Obviously, supporting families, just like Ethan’s.
So, David, if folks wanted to do more, learn more, or help more, what are a couple ways they can do that?
David: Sure. So there’s a Go Fund Me page that we set up for Ethan, and it’s still taking donations. And we also sell coins, challenge coins for Ethan’s family. 100% of that money goes to Ethan’s wife and son.
Jay: Absolutely. So we encourage our viewers to check out those links and support Ethan’s family as best you can.
Thank you so much for taking the time to join me. I realize, Nick, I know this is tough. He was your buddy. And I appreciate you sharing everything that you did.
For those tuning in. Thank you, guys, for joining us to hear more about the Ormond Beach Firefighter Charities and their mission of service.
Homes for Heroes Circle of Giving
Grants from the Homes for Heroes Foundation are made possible by the Homes for Heroes Circle of Giving and its network of real estate and mortgage professionals. Homes for Heroes, Inc. is committed to providing savings to community heroes; such as firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, military (active duty, reserves and veterans), healthcare professionals and teachers.
To expand its Circle of Giving, Homes for Heroes, Inc., donates a portion of its earnings to the Homes for Heroes Foundation. So, every time a hero buys or sells a home using the Homes for Heroes program, they are helping other heroes across the country facing a housing crisis or who are in need of urgent financial assistance.
If you are interested in learning more about how Homes for Heroes can guide you through the home buying, selling or refinancing process AND save you an average of $3,000 after closing, simply sign up to speak with a member of their team. They will follow up with you to answer all of your questions. When you tell them you’re feeling ready to speak with their local specialists in your area about home buying, selling, or refinancing, they will connect you with their local specialists to begin the process.
Simply visit the Homes for Heroes Foundation page if you’re interested in learning more about where it has awarded recent grants to hero organizations throughout the country, how much they’ve awarded to date, and how it all works.
If you’re interested in supporting and donating to the Homes for Heroes Foundation to assist heroes in need, please visit their donation page to submit your contribution via PayPal. And, thank you for your interest and support.
Thank you for watching another Homes for Heroes Foundation grant video about the impact it is making nationally and in local hero communities, along with hero supporting nonprofits who use the grant dollars they receive to assist the heroes they serve.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Homes for Heroes YouTube channel to get notified of the new hero grants awarded by the Homes for Heroes foundation.
