Fundraiser for injured Crete firefighter raises over $10,000

CRETE, Neb. (KLKN) – The recreation center at Doane University was filled with community members on Saturday to help raise money for an injured Crete firefighter.

Brad Elder, a volunteer with Crete Fire and Rescue, was seriously injured in a southwest Lancaster County wildfire in October.

Elder suffered severe burns across his body, which put him in a hospital for several months.

To help pay for Elder’s medical expenses, community members and other fire departments organized the fundraiser, which raised over $10,000.

“We serve our community and when we need our community they serve us,” said Nikki Wells, an organizer of the fundraiser. “We’ve asked for help just to get Brad through this and they have stepped up to the plate.”

Elder, who is also a professor at Doane University, is expected to make a full recovery within the next year.

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