WALKER — This Thursday, May 15, jambalaya plates will be available to help raise funds for a local firefighter with District 4 Fire in Livingston Parish, who has been out of work for several months due to an injury and multiple medical conditions resulting from the injury.
Robbie Matherne is a firefighter with over 20 years of experience, including 10 years at District 4. He started as a volunteer and has been a part of emergency medical services (EMS) in addition to firefighting.
For Matherne, being a firefighter is a way to give back to his community.
“It gives me a sense of pride and joy; firefighting is something I’ve come to enjoy and love,” he told UWK.
Matherne has lived in Livingston Parish his entire life, now residing in south Denham Springs. He has two teenage children, his girlfriend and her 10-year-old daughter.
Along with being a long-time volunteer and part-time firefighter with District 4, Matherne is also an assistant scout master of his son’s Boy Scout Troop. In addition, he has been involved with Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts for 12 years.
Due to an off-duty fall that caused a complete rotator cuff tear, Matherne needed surgery in April. However, the injury then created more medical concerns, and Matherne hasn’t been back to work with the department since December 2024. His medical diagnosis could keep him from returning for a long time, he said.
Because he is unable to give to his community right now, District 4 Fire and the community are now giving back to Matherne to help him and his family.
“(This fundraiser) means a lot; it just solidifies and shows that the district takes care of their own and their family,” Matherne said.
The jambalaya fundraiser is this Thursday, May 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at District 4 (9760 Florida Blvd in Walker).
Plates are $10 each and will include jambalaya, bread and a cookie. To help with planning, the fire union is encouraging people to pre-order their plates by contacting Steve Gletscher via phone call or text at (225) 460-1614.
Drive-ups are also welcome.
Payment is due at time of pickup, and cash, check, or Venmo are accepted forms of payment.
Delivery is also available for those ordering 15 or more plates. To order, call or text Gletscher with the number of plates desired and location of delivery.
All funds from this fundraiser will go toward Matherne’s medical bills and helping his family financially.
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