Putnam firefighters aim to help family of burned 5-year-old

A 5-year-old West Putnam County child who suffered severe burns is still undergoing skin grafts at a Texas hospital, local firefighters say.

Last week, firefighters union Putnam County Fire Rescue Local 3529, held a second fundraiser for the family of Nathan Scott, who was severely burned in a fire accident at his home Christmas Eve.

On Friday, organizers sold chicken wing dinners and held a raffle later in the day in the parking lot of the Putnam County Government Complex. According to Putnam County Commissioner Larry Harvey, who donned an apron for the cause, Hitchcock’s grocery store donated 2,500 chicken wings for the event.

Meanwhile, 7-year-old Paityn Wilkinson and 8-year-old Raegan Gill sat below a lemonade stand, built by Raegan’s father, to collect donations from thirsty folks on a warm yet windy afternoon. The duo said they had raised more than $200 by around 3:30 p.m. Both understood how the money they raised would help Nathan’s family. Asked about their effort, Paityn shyly said it felt “good” to help out.

Nathan Gill, spokesperson and president for the union, said Friday’s effort is not unusual for the group and relayed an update on the boy’s recovery.

“He’s a little fighter,” said Gill, who said he spoke to Nathan’s mother, Katie, recently. “She said he’s doing great — fighting his way through — but it’s just a long road to recovery.”

Gill said 75% to 80% of the young boy’s body was burned, “from his thighs, up.” So, in addition to raising money for the family’s travel and living expenses, the first responders are also helping the family build a needs-based addition on their house for when Nathan can finally return to Putnam County.

Gill said a family member of his is a contractor, so the group is aiming to have at least most of the family’s needs met by the time they get back home. The first fundraiser the union held for the child was a one-day “boot drive” in January which Gill said raised a significant amount for the family.

“We did really well with that,” Gill said, “So we’re just trying to follow on the heels of that and keep that momentum going.”

Nikki Glance, firefighter-paramedic with the union, said the severity of the child’s injuries have led the family to be out west longer than they’d planned, but the young boy is in “good spirits” when he is not itchy and in pain from the surgical procedures he is undergoing.

“He’s having a bad couple of days because they just did a lot of (skin) grafts,” Glance said. “For what they ask him to do, he goes above and beyond. He’s a tough little fella.”

Just because Friday’s fundraiser is over, doesn’t mean the group has stopped collecting to aid the family, though. Gill said 100% of donations go to the family. Anyone interested in donating can reach out to Gill at 386-937-2687.