Screen Shot 2014 06 30 at 8.42.23 AM Neighbors raise funds for injured East Dallas fireman

Fireman Jeff Patterson and his children

Fireman Jeff Patterson was seriously injured in a house fire in early May.

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More than eight weeks after the incident, Patterson remains hospitalized in the Burn Trauma/ICU of Parkland with third degree burns on 45 percent of his body. He already has had several skin-graft surgeries and is scheduled for many more, and some of the extensive costs associated with the injury aren’t covered by the City. Our East Dallas editor Brittany Nunn reports that “Jeff’s wife, Tina Hernandez, is overseeing his medical care full-time while caring for their two young children. The Pattersons attend St. Thomas Aquinas, and Jeff is one of the t-ball coaches for Dallas Little League.”

Last Friday at the weekly Lake Highlands Exchange Club meeting, members passed a basket to collect funds for Patterson’s continued care. On the spot, the group collected $1,516, which will go directly to the Patterson Bank of America Family Fund (available at any bank branch or mail to 901 Main Street, Dallas, 75202. Payable to Jeff Patterson or Tina Hernandez Acct# 488048747086).

“Since we were presenting our Quarterly Police and Fire Department awards that day, we decided that it would be a good time to show our club’s appreciation for Jeff and his family, and for the fire department, writes Exchange Club member Don Lee in an email to members and press. “Thanks very much to all the members that contributed to this. This demonstrates the good works that the club can do when we all work together.”

Patterson’s neighbors also set up a PayPal Family Fund. Those interested can send contributions to Patterson.hernandez@gmail.com. PayPal will not deduct fees from donations.

Well wishers also can buy a bracelet whose proceeds go to the Patterson family fund at http://Gofundme.com/UntilHeGoesHome.

Last weekend, friends, neighbors and the community gathered for a fundraiser for Jeff Patterson and family held at the Truck Yard on Greenville Ave.

You can also follow his progress on a Facebook page set up by friends of the firefighter: facebook.com/Jeffengine44.