By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
BRADNER—When Conner Beck’s pager buzzed Friday morning, he jumped into action as one of the newest members of the Bradner Fire Department. He heard “Maple and Lightner” and “fully engulfed.” Immediately, he worried that it might be a relative’s house; his grandparents and his uncle live in that vicinity.
The firefighters arrived quickly, and Conner, who recently graduated from Elmwood High School and the Penta Career Center firefighter training program, saw the smoke rising in the morning skies from his uncle’s barn and house.
He was part of a contingent that jumped into action to put out the fire at his uncle’s home.
“I wasn’t worried about my uncle; he’s smart and knew what to do,” Conner said. “I found him, but the house, all his belongings, three vehicles and one of the family’s three cats was lost in the fire.”
Matthew Beck, the uncle who has been a friend, confidante and supporter of Conner’s his whole life, had just experienced the unimaginable, his nephew lamented.
As Conner stayed at the scene, he was awestruck when he watched a neighbor stop by to deliver food, shoes and $100 in cash.
“At that point, I knew I wanted to do more,” Conner said.
“He has done so much for me my entire life. … He was someone to talk to, took me to yearly Mud Hens games and golf outings,” he said. “And we are not a family that asks for help.”
Instead, the genes to help others run deep in his family. Conner is a fourth-generation firefighter, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, grandfather and father.
“It’s not always about the money or the position you hold or the title. It’s about helping your community and seeing somebody have a really bad day and you make it a little bit better,” he said about his decision to become a firefighter.
In this instance, when the disaster impacted a family member, Conner is “doing what I feel is right.”
He started a GoFundMe campaign to “help my uncle rebuild after a house fire.”
With an initial goal on Friday night to raise $1,500, Conner woke up Saturday morning to see the community had already stepped up. The original goal was surpassed and increased to $5,000.
As of Sunday morning, more than $6,300 was donated, and again, the goal was increased.
In an act of love, Conner asked to spread the word to help his uncle with insurance deductibles and other expenses to get back on his feet.
“My uncle means a lot to me and seeing him go through this loss has been heartbreaking,” he explained on the GoFundMe page. “The funds raised through this campaign will go directly toward helping him secure temporary housing and begin the process of rebuilding his life. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference as he works to recover from this heartbreaking loss. Your support will help provide stability, comfort, and hope during an incredibly difficult time.”
Matthew Beck has been overwhelmed with the support of the community, Conner said. “He’s glad that he can see the sunrise and the sunset,” he said about his uncle’s gratitude for life over material possessions.
There was one possession that meant a lot to Matthew – a memento from his grandfather, Harry Busch, who passed away in 2007. Conner was able to dig through the ashes inside the house to uncover the shadowbox that held the cherished and irreplaceable family heirloom that belonged to “Paw-Paw.”
Matthew responded to the immediate and ongoing outpouring of support from the community.
“To everyone who stopped by, talked, helped, gave me coffee… a smoke, donations of essentials, food and cash, it is so greatly appreciated,” he wrote on Facebook. “Words can’t express how I feel about each and every one of you.”
He thanked the volunteers who came out and “worked without a reason besides that’s what they do time and time again.”
Anyone interested in donating can find the GoFundMe campaign here.
“Our community has always come together in times of need, and I know that with your kindness and generosity, we can help him rebuild and move forward,” Conner said.
