As a district fire chief in Boston, Dennis Costin has his hands full of administrative duties. But the 56-year-old still finds time to help some of the most vulnerable burn victims as head of the Boston Firefighters Burn Foundation.
“All of my kids are full grown, so I’ve got plenty of time,” Costin said. “This gives me a real sense of purpose.”
Costin and about 10 other firefighters and professionals serve on the executive board of the non-profit foundation that provides various financial and emotional support to injured firefighters and burn victims.
The foundation raises money in part to help pay bills that a family may fall behind on because they are spending time in the hospital caring for their burned loved one.
But what may be most valuable is the time the foundation members and the countless city firefighters who volunteer on their off days spend with the young burn victims at Shriners Hospital.
The foundation hosts bowling nights and Wiffle ball games. And twice a year it brings Santa and his toys aboard a tower ladder truck to the hospital.
“We get way more out of it than what we give,” Costin said. “It’s tough to explain.”
