“Not Your Average Joe” Run/Walk Brings a Community Together

LINDALE — Lindale firefighter Joe Yeakley continues to recover from burns sustained in a house fire last month — and supporters from all over the state joined hands Saturday to do their part. According to a news release from the Lindale Fire Department, over 600 runners and around 100 volunteers came together to prove that Yeakley is �Not Your Average Joe” — the name given to the run/walk. Fire department Lt. Aaron Munn tells KETK that participants raised $10,000 — and that so far more than $40,000 has been brought in through various Yeakley benefits. On Saturday, around 75 firefighters, most of whom ran in full firefighting gear, came from around East Texas and even as far as the Texas Panhandle to participate.

Yeakley remains in stable but critical condition in Parkland Hospital in Dallas being treated for burns he sustained when a roof collapsed on him early in the morning on January 17. Yeakley is a 14-year veteran with Lindale Fire Department with a total of over 30 years in the fire service. Multiple benefits have been set up to raise money to help his family with expenses while Yeakley is recovering.

The next opportunity to show your support will be on February 13. This event is now a widespread �Give Back Night� by over 40 Chili�s restaurants around the state and even as far as Rhode Island, Florida and Indiana. For more information on this, as well as many other events, visit the Lindale Fire Department Facebook page. Donations can be made at any Texas Bank & Trust location or mailed to Lindale Vol. Fire Dept. For Benefit of Joe Yeakley, P.O. Box 8,Lindale, TX 75771.