As the Labor Day weekend began last year, John Martins was on his way back from a job when the tow truck he owned and was driving plunged down an embankment and caught fire. As much as 90 percent of his body sustained second and third-degree burns when he was airlifted to a hospital in Rhode Island.
Although doctors figured he would survive no more than 72 hours, Martins stayed alive for 23 days.
While grief-stricken, Martins’ family “realized that grief that does not metamorphose into positive action produces nothing but tears,” so they created the John Martins Burn Foundation in hopes to helping others suffering from the consequences of severe burns.
“Efforts will include broad-based education about the nature, causes, and prevention of burns,” the foundation website notes. “Lives will be saved. Lives will be changed.”
On August 13, the foundation has scheduled the inaugural John Martins Classic Cars and Tow Truck Show at McCoy Stadium, the baseball stadium that is home of the Pawtucket Red Sox, the Boston Red Sox’ top minor league team. Jamie Silva, and East Providence native, Boston College All-America player and former safety for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League, will be on hand to sign autographs.
For more information and to register a car or truck, visit the foundation website.
