Firefighters hold fundraiser for one of their own

By Kelly Parker
Contributing Writer

After celebrating a big Saints win, many locals came together to help a family honor the life of two-month-old Darius Young Jr., known to his mother as a little angel.

Parents Allison and Darius Young Sr., a veteran of the New Orleans Fire Depart­ment, tragically lost their son on August 16. Though unofficial, SIDS is the assumed cause of death-due to the oxygen restriction to the baby’s brain.

Friends and family, donning NOFD t-shirts and Black and Gold gear, gathered at Café Prytainia last Sunday evening for a benefit concert, which featured the sounds of Naydja CoJoe and the Jazz Expe­r­ience.

“My son was an amazing baby from his inception. From his amazing ultrasounds to his outstanding personality,” Allison Young says. “I have lots of memories of him and he was a true blessing. He touched so many people in his short 79 days. He has forever changed me.”

Sunday’s event raised close to $3,000, which will assist the Young’s with medical bills in­curred during baby Darius’ stay at Children’s Hospital.

When District Chief Joseph Wheeler got the heartbreaking news, he knew instantly what to do to help. He didn’t ask fellow fighters, but passionately demanded that they pitch in.

“As I was leaving the hospital, I knew we had to do this (fundraiser) for him and his family.” Wheeler said. “The last thing this family needs to worry about right now is bill collectors.”

Young Sr., who’s now a member of the department’s Rescue Squad, was a firefighter under Wheeler when he was a Captain in the 4th District.

“I told him, you never get over something like this, you just (in time) learn to deal with it. The help will go far beyond the money we raise,” Wheeler states. “We’re here from him and his family- emotionally as well as financially.”

“I would like to thank all of my friends and family for their love and support through this tragedy,” Darius Young, Sr. said. “Just to let y’all know, everything helps.”

The Young’s have set up a memorial fund through Capital One Bank, in baby Darius’ name.

This article was originally published in the September 26, 2011 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper