One of the most rewarding means Local 347 to honor a fallen firefighter while giving something back to the community is through the Davidson Memorial Scholarship Fund. This fund was created in the early 1980's in conjunction with the I.A.F.F. Local 347 Benevolent Fund. Each year, the Davidson Memorial Scholarship Fund awards an academic college scholarship to one male and one female graduating Bluefield High School senior. Nearly forty graduating seniors from Bluefield High School have received college tuition assistance from Local 347.
The Fund was created in honor of Mr. Sam Davidson, who is the only Bluefield Fire Fighter to die in the line of duty. This tragedy occurred on Easter Day, 1920, when Sam was electrocuted while fighting a fire on Church St. Years later, several of Mr. Davidson's descendants returned to Bluefield to the Central Fire Station to attend a special ceremony in Sam's honor. At that time, the Davidson Memorial Scholarship Fund was unveiled, and a commemorative bench located adjacent to Central Station was also also dedicated to Mr. Davidson. It was a very moving ceremony.
Since that time, Local 347 has worked diligently to maintain the Scholarship Fund, staging many fund raising projects, and periodically donating benevolent and general fund monies to the cause.
Persons wishing to make a tax deductible donation to the Fund may do so at:
Davidson Memorial Scholarship Fund
3500 E. Cumberland Rd.
Bluefield, WV 24701
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