Warner Robins Fire Department hosting After-Burn Auto Show and fundraiser this weekend

WARNER ROBINS —  The Warner Robins Fire Department is preparing for its first annual After-Burn Auto Show. This free event will take place on Saturday, August 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 900 North Houston Road. 

The auto show will be supporting the Georgia Firefighters’ Burn Foundation (GFBF). Firefighter Chris Reid said the department has been raising funds for the GFBF outside of grocery stores around Warner Robins, but they have never gone to such great lengths as an auto show. 

“I know this has been something Chief Wright is really big on, and he contacted everyone in the department for ideas to be able to better help raise funds for this organization,” he said. 

Any fee carried out and every cent raised at the After-Burn Auto Show will go directly to the GFBF. 

“We also have plenty of items and nice prizes being raffled off for the community and participants,” he said. 

Reid pointed out the GFBF partners with fire services across the state and burn care communities to provide safety, prevention and education for burn survivors. He said they also host a yearly camp for them.  

“Through these camps they are able to touch the lives of so many burn survivors, not just letting them have a good time, but also sitting down [with them], hearing from them and giving them an opportunity to speak through their traumas,” he said. 

Reid mentioned he has a third-degree burn on his hand. Being a burn survivor drew him even closer to the GFBF. 

“I would go to school and I would walk around with my hand in my pocket the whole day just so I wouldn’t be picked on as a child,” he said. “I know how hard it can be. The [auto show and fundraiser] is an opportunity for us to make more change and make a difference in other people’s lives.” 

If not an auto show, Reid shared that the fire department would be doing something big for the GFBF by involving the community in a family-friendly environment. 

“Everyone has been big on cars lately, especially Jeep clubs as well, so we thought it would be a great opportunity to mix the two by getting the community involved and get some nice cars, Jeeps, trucks, the whole nine yards,” he said. 

Reid did not want to give any spoilers on the vehicles showcased in the auto show, but he did mention that the vehicles shown have no limitations. 

Overall, hosting the first annual After-Burn Auto Show is another opportunity to do what they say is a calling, which Reid described as being a public servant. 

“Everyone isn’t called into going to fires or going on mercy calls. We’re there because we’re servants, so this is just another opportunity to better serve the community we live in or neighbors to,” he said. 

Reid hopes to see everyone in the community at the After-Burn Auto Show. Stay up to date on the department’s Facebook page: facebook.com/warnerrobinsfire.