PPD fundraiser for Burgess family successful

By John Miller, 04/11/22 4:08 PM

PRESCOTT – Those with a sweet tooth needed to show up at the Prescott Police Department Saturday for the department’s fundraiser for Rae and Matt Burgess.

The officers and staff offered hamburger’s for lunch, which included a drink and chips. There were also tables laden with cookies, cupcakes, pies, breads, muffins and cakes, including the triple chocolate one shown above.

The Burgess family asked the PD if it would do a fundraiser to help as he lost both legs due to complications from COVID-19. According to Rae, when he was diagnosed, he couldn’t breathe. He was taken to a local clinic and transported to the ICU at Wadley Hospital in Hope. He declined using a ventilator at first, but eventually agreed to use one. However, his blood pressure bottomed out and he was given blood pressure medication. The blood collected in his lower extremities and he had no circulation, she said. Matt also suffered several small strokes during this time. One leg was amputated, but he had another stroke. The other leg had to be amputated for lack of circulation.

Now, she said, they’re trying to get back to normal. She said it was kind of the department to do this, adding they’ve received a lot of support from the community.

There was a steady stream of visitors at the department, coming for the burgers and baked goods, though quite a few just bought baked goods.