Supporting Chief Hugh Stott

Update

Greetings all, over the past few years we have been trying to help defray the expenses for Chief Stott’s care. Your generosity has been a great help.

Hugh has great daily care from Karen and his caregiver. Fact is, that the funds that Hugh and Karen put aside have come to an end. This means that they have to pay for his 24/7 care personally. As you might expect this is quite expensive. Just to have his caregiver during the day, it costs $1600.00 per week, $6400.00 per month I can’t imagine how they can handle that expense.

Hugh, inspires me with his positive outlook and approach to life, even while trapped in failed body. He is as mentally sharp as ever. His sense of humor never wains. He can still speak and as always, he shares wisdom and humor. As I move about my day I can’t help but think how difficult it must be to be so incapacitated.

So, I reach out to all of you to help make Hugh and Karen’s life more manageable and as comfortable as possible. Please pass this email along to EVERYONE you can. We have connections throughout our fire service community, family and friends. I confident that we can make a big difference in taking this financial burden off Hugh and Karen. How great would it be if we could take away one worry in their life!

Best,

Lt. Rich Valenta (Retired)

Greetings, our friend Chief Hugh Stott was diagnosed with ALS in January of 2020, shortly after his retirement from the fire service as a Battalion Chief. Hugh gave over 40 years to the communities he served, as well as to the field of fire service education. His service started as a paramedic with private ambulance services. He then spent a few years as a part-time firefighter before being hired full time for West Chicago in 1986. Hugh taught at the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute for over 20 years. The skills he learned as a teacher, and his love for baseball, lead him to volunteer as a coach for West Chicago Community High School for 19 seasons. As a coach, chief and teacher he has helped many to learn Preparation, perseverance and team-work.

Hugh's disease has progressed to the point where he needs 24 hour care. While Hugh and his wife Karen prepared well for the future, as you can imagine the cost of Hugh's care is very significant. Hugh's many friends have asked how they can help. This GoFundMe page has been established to do just that. In time medical expenses will deplete their available medical funds. Our goal is to create a flow of funding to assist with Hugh's care.

As you know, our friend Hugh is a humble man. He has always been the giver. It is extremely difficult for him to accept any assistance. That said, I would ask that you use discretion as to how you share and distribute this page. Limited use of social media is requested.

Thank you and God Bless.