Foundation Responds to Devastating Fire at Member Veterinarian’s Clinic
Austin, Texas (PRWEB) June 11, 2015 -- An electrical fire on the evening of June 9 destroyed the clinic of Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) member Dr. Kenneth “Kenny” Kimbrough in Longview, Texas. In addition, 38 animals lost their lives in the blaze at Kimbrough Animal Hospital (kimbroughanimalhospital.com). Dr. Kimbrough and his staff are devastated.
Many who know Dr. Kimbrough describe him as kind and gentle with clients saying he is part of their family. Dr. Kimbrough is grieving with the families whose animals lost their lives in the fire, yet he also must work simultaneously to finalize insurance needs and begin efforts to rebuild his clinic. Kimbrough Animal Hospital employs 22 staff members, and Dr. Kimbrough is concerned for their financial well-being until the clinic can reopen.
The clinic, which has been in operation for more than 20 years, is a total loss. The funds needed to rebuild Dr. Kimbrough’s clinic are unknown at this time. However, the amount to rebuild Kimbrough Animal Hospital is expected to be costly.
The Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation (TVMF) Board of Trustees awarded an emergency contribution of $2,500 to assist Dr. Kimbrough. Additionally, the Foundation pledges to match donations made for Dr. Kimbrough up to a total of $10,000. Funds donated above and beyond the $10,000 threshold will be directed to Dr. Kimbrough and the rebuilding efforts for his clinic. Please consider making a contribution to Dr. Kimbrough through the TVMF website at http://www.tvmf.org by selecting “disaster” under the Foundation Program drop-down box.
To read more about the tragedy, please visit http://www.news-journal.com/news/2015/jun/09/firefighters-scene-structure-fire-kimbrough-animal.
For questions about donations for Dr. Kimbrough or to learn about alternative ways to contribute, please contact TVMF Director Leah Ann Tibbitts by phone at 512/452-4224 or via email at ltibbitts(at)tvma(dot)org.
About the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation (TVMF) was established in 1978 as a 501(c)3 charitable and philanthropic non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the health and welfare of animals throughout Texas. By celebrating the human-animal bond through education on best practices in animal care and husbandry as well as community and public relations, research, fundraising and the development of those individuals involved in the field of veterinary medicine, the Foundation greatly extends the outreach of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. TVMF is supported through tax-deductible donations and gifts from the public, veterinarians and pharmaceutical and veterinary supply industries. For more information about the Foundation and its programs, please contact TVMF Director Leah Ann Tibbitts at 512/452-4224 or [email protected] or visit http://www.tvmf.org.
Leah Ann Tibbitts, Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation, http://www.tvma.org, +1 (512) 452-4224, [email protected]
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