Fundraiser Scheduled For Hospitalized Firefighter Jeremy "Cubby" Macklefresh

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New Smyrna Beach, FL - A local family is planning a fundraiser for a hospitalized New Smyrna Beach firefighter and they’re hoping the public can attend this weekend.

The fundraiser is to help out Jeremy Macklefresh, a New Smyrna Beach firefighter who is currently recovering from an incident that had occurred earlier this month. In that incident, Macklefresh was riding a city-owned ATV when he fell over and suffered a fractured skull. It’s still unclear what caused Macklefresh to fall from the ATV.

The fundraiser is set to take place this Saturday (October 2) at the Lost Lagoon restaurant in New Smyrna Beach, right by the airport. The event begins at 11:00 a.m. and will feature live music, prize giveaways, a cornhole tournament, and of course food. Residents are invited to come out and help Macklefresh, or as he’s known around the firehouse, “Cubby.” 

“Jeremy got the nickname ‘Cubby’ when the firehouse found out he was the official mascot for the Daytona Cubs back in the day,” said Mark Gutowski, Jeremy’s father-in-law, to News Daytona Beach. “Once you get a nickname like that at the firehouse, it pretty much stays with you your entire career.”

In talking to News Daytona Beach, Gutowski thanked the public for the support they have shown to Jeremy thus far. Some of the support came in the form of donations on a MealTrain page setup for Macklefresh’s family, which includes his wife and two children. Since the page began, nearly $16,000 has been raised by 115 people as of Monday (Sept. 27).

According to Gutowski, Jeremy remained in a medically induced coma since the incident. Regardless, Jeremy continues to fight.

“He continues to climb over all the hurdles that have been placed in front of him,” said Gutowski. “(He) surprised the doctors a couple of times.”

Residents who cannot attend Saturday’s fundraiser but would like to contribute to Jeremy’s recovery can donate through the family’s MealTrain page.