For Valley Regional Fire Authority firefighters, every day is an opportunity to help others.
It is also a chance to support a young man’s dreams in another land.
Firefighters recently have stepped up to help one underprivileged Dominican teenager get his education.
Eleven firefighters listened as one of their coworkers – Michael Patterson – told the inspirational story of Juan David Dominguez of the Dominican Republic, who has overcome many personal tragedies to pursue a career as a pediatrician so he can help his impoverished country.
The firefighter group, part of the VRFA’s C-shift at Auburn Station 33, decided to come together to help pay for Dominguez’s medical schooling.
“It was tough to hear about the devastating things that he had lived through, yet so inspiring to hear of his determination and drive to succeed. We just had to help,” said VRFA Capt. Norm Golden.
Golden and Patterson have joined firefighters Reed Astley, Dave Casselman, Jeremy Elliott, Matt Jung, Troy Kilcup, Matt Kinnee, Dean McAuley, Jeremiah Mushen, Terry Robinson and Janeen Ruge to commit $300 a month to put Dominguez through the Compassion International Leadership Development Program.
Patterson previously worked with Compassion International, a Christian-based child development and aid organization. He convinced his coworkers to support Dominguez.
The program allows Dominguez to attend college, pays for tuition and books, rransportation and a mentorship program.
Compassion International has helped more than a million children in 24 countries with food, shelter, education and health care.
“(The program) takes children who have already gone through the child sponsorship program … who have demonstrated a strong Christian belief that is in the forefront of their life,” Patterson said. “They look for kids who are exceptional students in their school and are leaders in their community.”
Patterson and his family are familiar with reaching out to help others, having sponsored a child with Compassion International since 1997. They also have adopted a young Haitian girl, Daniela, to be a part of the family that has three other girls.
A trip to the Dominican Republic was all it took for Patterson to devote time and passion to helping those who have less.
After visiting the impoverished Caribbean nation to meet his sponsored child, a girl named Yefredy, Patterson was inspired by the organization’s work.
“Going to meet her and seeing what Compassion International actually does was really a life-changer for me,” he said.
Active role
Patterson decided to become more involved, becoming a volunteer child advocate for Compassion International. One of his duties was finding sponsors for children.
With the cost of sponsoring one child at a paltry $38 a month, Patterson figured that his shift could do better.
“I told him we should think about doing something bigger,” he said.
Patterson first met Juan on a trip he and his wife took to the Dominican Republic to visit areas where they had sponsored other children in need. It was then that Michael learned Juan wanted to become a pediatrician and practice medicine in his own community.
“I knew once I told my fellow crew members Juan’s story that we would be able to come through for him,” said Patterson.
Dominguez is studying pediatric medicine at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo. He has overcome many setbacks in his life.
Juan was 4 years old when he lost his father in a construction accident. His mother worked hard to take care of Juan, his two brothers and sister. Three years later a hurricane destroyed the family home and all of their belongings.”Juan David’s story demonstrates exactly why Compassion focuses on child development,” said Mike Hanlon, Compassion International senior vice president. “With Juan David, we see how providing a university education for one promising young man can change a life, a family, a community and potentially a country.
“The contribution of these firefighters has made all the difference. They are an exemplary example of how a selfless contribution can impact others in huge ways.”
Dominguez agrees:
“I don’t know what my life would have been without the intervention of Compassion.”
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To learn more, visit www.compassion.com.
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COURTESY INSET PHOTO: VFA’s Michael Patterson, right, with Dominican student Juan David Dominguez.
