July 9, 2026
Submitted photo
By Jonathan Rich
BrevardBeagle.com
On Saturday, July 11, the Balsam Grove Community Center will host bingo games and a fundraising dinner to support an injured local firefighter, neighbor, and friend facing a long road to recovery.
Tommy Whitmire sustained a cut on his foot earlier this year that later became infected and forced the amputation of one leg from above his knee, leaving him unable to work for at least six months. He is currently undergoing months of physical therapy and it will be after Christmas before he can get a prosthetic leg.
Whitmire was the only paid full-time firefighter at the Balam Grove Fire Department at the time of his injury, but because his ailment was not work-related he is forced to seek alternatives to pay for his mounting medical bills and their associated costs.
To assist during his time of recovery, members of the community Whitmire once proudly served are invited to the Balsam Road Community Center on Saturday at 3 p.m. for an afternoon of fundraising events to assist with the financial burden ahead of him.
“Our goal and prayer is that we can help alleviate some of his bills while he is unemployed,” event co-organizer Tracy Morris explained. “He had no insurance at the time of his injury. His sisters are helping every way they can, but even Medicaid doesn’t cover gas to get to therapy or groceries. These funds will help alleviate those costs.”
Members of the Balsam Grove, Lake Toxaway, and Rosman fire departments will be volunteering at the event to support one of their own. Morris said their response, in addition to that of the greater Balsam Grove community, was surprising to the recovering firefighter.
“He could not believe the overwhelming response and the folks who dropped what they were doing to help,” Morris said. “That’s been the most heartwarming part of this. He’s so humble, he legit didn’t expect it. He will be there the day of the event as well, so we are excited about that.”
Hot dogs and barbecue will be served starting at 3 p.m. and bingo games will begin at 6 p.m. with prizes donated by local businesses and individuals wanting to help.
More information about this event is available on Facebook and there is a GoFundMe page set up for anyone wanting to offer their support online.
“Without all the Brevard businesses, fire departments, and the heart put into this by every single volunteer, this would not and could not have happened,” Morris said of the preparations for Saturday’s event. “They tell me it takes a village, and man, what a village!”