The Fourth Annual Melanie Powell Memorial Golf Tournament held this year on Monday October 20th  provided assistance to the family of injured Milton Firefighter Tony Pickens.

Pickens was badly injured on June 30, 2007 when he was struck by a third-time drunken driving offender while responding to a minor traffic accident in from the fire station.  He spent two long months in the hospital clinging to life before being transferred to the Kindred Specialty Hospital in Braintree for months of rehabilitation.  Home with his family, Tony is permanently disabled as a result of his injuries.

“His is such an inspiring story,” according to Tod Powell, Melanie’s father.  “He has shown so much courage.  He was not expected to live, but he neve gave up and he is determined to recover.”

Nancy Powell, Melanie’s mother, realizes how difficult a traumatic incident can be on the entire family.  “It’s so devastating for everyone because your life is just not the same anymore.  I know that it has been really hard on his wife to care for him, keep the home in shape and provide for their two teenage children.  We’re thrilled that we will be able to help provide assistance for his children’s education.

On Sunday November 9th, Tod and Nancy presented Tony and his wife Marilyn with a check for $5,000 to aid his children’s education fund.

Over the past three years, the Fund has raised money to benefit the Mothers Against Driving National Victim Assistance Training Program, victims from the South Shore and graduates of Marshfield High School.  In 2005, Jill O’Bryan of Rockland who was seriously injured by a drunken driver received a scholarship from the Fund to attend Bryant College.  Jill has since graduated with honors.  In 2007, the Fund provided funds used for medical assistance to Nicholas Leone, who at age eight was seriously injured while walking with his mother on a Quincy sidewalk; and this past May the Fund distributed $10,000 in scholarships to graduates of Marshfield High School.

PHOTOS FROM 2008 TOURNAMENT