Efforts to assist a Cordova Fire Department volunteer who is in the hospital in South Carolina with a serious illness are continuing, and a dinner will be held Saturday at the department to benefit his family.

The event will feature a hot dog and bake sale, as well as a 50/50 raffle, a door raffle and a car wash. It begins at 10 a.m. at the station beside the post office on 7th Street, and will last until the items have been depleted.

More than $660 was raised for the family of Cordova Fire and Rescue Safety Officer Scottie Brigman last Thursday night at the Rockingham Rescue Squad’s Haunted House, which fellow firefighter Bob Smith said was a wonderful start.

He and the other volunteers want to do more, though.

“We’ve had outstanding support from the community, but, honestly, that’s only a drop in the bucket of what they will have to pay,” Smith said.

As has been previously reported in the Daily Journal, Brigman was honored earlier this year for saving Smith’s life, and is now on life support struggling to hold onto his own.

Not only do the two have this bond, they have also been best friends and constant companions for 12 years.

“It’s one thing for one fireman to come up and say they want to help another fireman, but we have been the best of friends for over 12 years,” Smith said. “This really means a lot to me.”

Brigman has a wife named Stephanie, and a four-year-old daughter named Destiny. He is 36 years old and doesn’t have health coverage.

Included in the raffle prizes are items that have been donated from the community, including a hand-made Afghan, electronic equipment, gift certificates at various area restaurants, Richmond Raiders Polo shirts and miscellaneous gaming equipment donated by GameStop retail store.

“Once people found out about Scottie, we had an abundance of donations for the raffle,” Smith said. “Right now, his wife is having to go stay with him, and so she’s out-of-work, and we’re just trying to do whatever we can to keep them afloat.”

For more information about the event, or to purchase raffle tickets, contact Cordova Fire and Rescue Volunteer Firefighter Bob Smith at 331-2874.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.