Throwing axes to raise money for Springdale first responder's family who died
People threw axes Sunday to raise money for the family of a Springdale firefighter who died earlier this month.
Every axe thrown meant a donation to Dean Loos's family after its tragic loss.
“When he passed it was just one of those things we wanted to help the community," Patrick Stuart, co-owner of Ozark Axe Company, said. "There’s nothing worse to a community than losing a first responder.”
Stuart said Loos lost his life due to suicide earlier this month, which is why a representative for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention was at the fundraiser.
“The first responders come into exactly that kind of a situation every day," Maureen Cover-Bryan with the foundation said. "They suffer from those kinds of situations in fires and emergency calls all the time. We want to be able to offer support for those firefighters.”
Cover-Bryan's son died by suicide eight years ago. Now she advocates for suicide prevention.
"It's therapeutic for me to be able to help other people be able to have some hope at the end of the day that they, too, can get through whatever crisis they are going through," she said.
Stuart used to be a first responder himself, and understands first-hand the toll the job takes on a person's mental health.
"It's a unique type of atmosphere," he said. "You see things only each other sees. I would say to reach out to somebody. Your fellow first responders are always here to support."
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, you can call 1-800-273-TALK to be connected to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.