On August 6, 2025, our dear friend, colleague, and fellow firefighter, Brad Howle, underwent emergency surgery at Carle Hospital after being diagnosed with a perforated bowel. Brad’s condition required immediate attention, and though the surgery was successful, he will be in the hospital for at least two weeks and facing a long road to recovery. As the primary breadwinner for his family—his wife, Laynie, and their 2-year-old son, Trace—Brad’s absence during this critical time will undoubtedly put a financial strain on them. In addition to being a loving husband and father, Brad is an essential part of our community, serving as: Full-time firefighter/paramedic at Willard Crash Rescue Part-time firefighter at Savoy Fire Department Part-time EMT at Arrow Ambulance Service And a nearly 20-year member of the Thomasboro Fire Protection District Brad’s work ethic, commitment to service, and dedication to helping others have made him an invaluable part of our fire and emergency response teams. Now, it’s our turn to help him. How Your Donation Will Help While Brad focuses on his recovery, we want to alleviate some of the financial stress on his family. Donations will help cover medical expenses, bills, and everyday living costs during his time away from work. The last thing Brad should worry about is how his family will make ends meet. Other Ways You Can Help If you’re unable to donate at this time, sharing this page and spreading the word can make a huge difference. Every share helps us get closer to reaching our goal and supporting Brad and his family through this difficult time. Let’s come together as a community to show Brad, Laynie, and Trace how much they mean to us. Your generosity, no matter how big or small, will make a world of difference. Thank you for your support. We are so grateful for each and every one of you.