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Emergency Assistance Team holds pancake dinner to raise money
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Ryan Gordon (GA Bulldgog hat) works at opening a prize in a game at the fund raiser. - photo by Photo by Mike Riddle

MR PAncake

Wath the folks perform Karaoke

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The multi-county Emergency Assistance Team recently held a pancake dinner to raise money for their operation.  
The event was held from 6-11 p.m. June 28 at John Bradley's home in Gumbranch and included entertainment, dancing, fellowship and plenty of pancakes and sausage for everyone present.
The group, which was formally organized in 2007, assists emergency rescue workers wherever they are needed, with calls that last for an extended period of time. The group has worked in Liberty, Long, Ware, Tattnall and Bryan counties.  
They provide meals and drinks to workers in the designated rehab area and to personnel out in the field.
"We provide rehab for workers whether they are firefighters, EMS, forestry, police, or whoever. We re-hydrate them by providing snacks, meals, drinks and water so they can continue to do their job," said EAT President Wendy Newton.
The group's members also include Newton's husband, Mitchell, and John and Debbie Bradley - all certified firefighters.
In 2007, the group tended to emergency sites such as the Debra Gail Moody search effort in Long County, a fatality structure fire in Liberty County and the lengthy forest fires in Long County and Ware County.
Already in 2008, the group has helped with two structure fires in Liberty County and an extended vehicle accident in Long County.
According to Newton, during the 2007 forest fires in Long and Ware County, the group worked for 38 days straight.
"We've seen both sides of the coin (as both a firefighter and a rescue worker), and know what its like to get a cold drink and a cool rehab towel when your out on a long call," said Debbie Bradley, who serves as the organization's secretary/treasurer.
Hinesville Fire Department Chief Lamar Cook, who provided entertainment for the pancake dinner said, "What these folks do is tremendous, they are out there early and are there until it's over, helping take care of the workers with drinks and snacks; they just do an outstanding job."
The organization receives no funding and only operates on donations and fundraisers they organize. In February they held a Sweetheart Dinner and Dance, and in November they bagged groceries at Kroger in Hinesville to help cover their expenses.
"We need all the help we can get, most of the times, we end up paying for most of the cost ourselves. Any donation from individual organizations, or from the county's themselves would be helpful. We do what we can, but the finances are hard," Newton said.
In October, the group is scheduled to host a costume/dinner party as their next fundraiser.
"We appreciate all who came out tonight, and Lamar (Cook) for providing the entertainment; we also thank everyone who has helped us out in the past," Debbie Bradley said.
For more information on EAT, or on how to make a donation to the group, Newton can be reached at 912-977-2235. Correspondence can be sent to Emergency Rescue Team, 189 John Wells Road, Hinesville, GA 31313.

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