SAN ANTONIO- The family of a fallen volunteer fire fighter wants to save lives in his memory. Eighteen year-old Dustin Welch died in July when an ATV flipped over. Because Dustin was listed as an organ donor he donated his organs so that others could live. Now his family wants to encourage others to become donors.
Dustin’s family says he was a very giving person as an organ donor and volunteer fire fighter. That’s why they are working to raise money and bring awareness to the charities that were dear to his heart.
“Dustin was an amazing person where he always gave to others and one of the things was being an organ donor and he always encouraged everyone to be an organ donor,” explained April Luna, Dustin’s cousin.
April can't help but light up when she thinks about her cousin Dustin. He was young, but in his 18-years of life he made a difference in the lives of many. Dustin lives on in the lives that he saved through his organ donations.
“His organs went to a wounded soldier and his eyes went to a little girl and that's something that he would cherish greatly,” said April.
And as a junior volunteer fire fighter with the Harmony Volunteer Fire Department he looked forward to serving his community as a full fledge fire fighter because he wanted a life of serving others.
When he did have down time he enjoyed playing softball. It’s a sport he grew up playing as a child.
“He played softball since he was a little guy all the way from t-ball up and it's something that he got on that baseball field and he lit up”.
That's why the family has decided to honor Dustin by combining the things he cherished most to help raise awareness and money for his causes.
The family has planned the Dustin Welch Co-ed Softball and Barbeque Benefit. The will be held Sunday starting at 9 AM at Swingers Baseball Park located at 13080 Laguna Road in San Antonio.
