Donation for dedication

After a motorcycle accident nearly claimed his life in 2016, Kent Reed decided he wanted to give back to the emergency service personnel who saved him.

Since the accident, Reed founded the philanthropic non-profit organization American Brawn — which regularly raises funds for U.S. military and emergency personnel across the state — as a way to pay it forward and recognize the sacrifices and dedication of these individuals.

American Brawn and its board have been helping Iowa’s fire stations and armed forces for the past few years.

On Thursday, American Brawn presented the Newton Fire Department with a $1,890 donation to purchase another “Rescue Randy,” a lifelike mannequin used for training purposes. Reed provided the check to the fire station in person.

A number of grants have been provided to area first responders. Reed said even Iowa SAR K9 received funds to have two dogs trained and certified in human remains searches. One fire station was able to purchase a vacuum splint system to hold injured appendages in place during transports.

Much of the money is fundraised by American Brawn. The Grinnell-based group 100+ People Who Care provided the moneys for the Newton Fire Department donation, Reed said. Oftentimes the grants stay local, but American Brawn has provided funds to as far as Council Bluffs.

The motivation behind American Brawn

Reed, a salespersion with Nagle Signs, Inc., of Marshalltown, said the Altoona Fire Department was responsible for saving him from the devastating motorcycle crash. He endured three skull fractures and a brain bleed, and he was comatose for one-and-a-half days.

“I left the hospital using a walker, not because any bones were messed up. All I had done was bashed my head,” Reed said. “But my balance and equilibrium was so bad I had vertigo really bad. So I just needed (the walker) not to re-learn how to walk, but just to steady myself.”

A seizure in the emergency room following the accident prevented Reed from driving for his job for about six months. While he was off work and recuperating through occupational and physical therapy, Reed thought how blessed he was to live through this life-changing ordeal — so he wanted to do something more.

“So we started American Brawn to payback everything the first responders do, as well as what the U.S. military and veterans have done and do for us every single day at their own expense,” Reed said. “They’re dedicating their lives oftentimes. They’re dedicating time away from families to take care of society.”

American Brawn also partners with the non-profit Stop Soldier Suicide to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury or thoughts of suicide.

From the first responders side, American Brawn has supplied an online application for funding to police, sheriff and fire departments, as well as EMS entities and emergency room departments. Grants are then provided to these public safety departments.

“Saving lives is what we want to do,” Reed said.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com