It was in Amanda Marsh's darkest hours that the inspiration to pay it forward transformed into something bigger.
"I really wanted to do something that created more of a legacy for Eric," she said.
Her husband of four years, Eric Marsh, was one of 19 wildland firefighters killed while battling the Yarnell Hill Fire in June 2013. A devastating loss that left Amanda unable to function, barely able to brush her teeth everyday.
But it was the tremendous outpouring of support from the community, the state and from across the country that helped her to move forward. She describes Eric as a giver, someone always looking to help others, and Amanda didn't want that legacy to end with his tragic death.
In April 2014, Amanda started the Eric Marsh Foundation for Wildland Firefighters.
"My non-profit raises money for next of kin of wildland firefighters who are killed in the line of duty," Marsh said.
She credits the 100 Club of Arizona as another reason why she decided to launch her non-profit. She said the monetary support she received after Eric's death kept her afloat when going to work everyday was the last thing on her mind.
"There's so many things you're unable to do and certainly working is something a lot of people aren't able to do for a while," she said.
Through donations and selling t-shirts, hoodies and patches, Amanda is working to support other families enduring losses similar to hers. She's helped four families so far and is focused on helping families of three firefighters killed battling the Twisp River Fire in Washington.
Her goal is to raise $2,000 for each family so they can focus on grieving their loved one instead of worrying about bills and work. One hundred percent of the profits go directly to the families.
"I think (Eric) would say he is very proud of me and that if I'm following my heart, I'm doing the right thing," she said.
To make an online donation or purchase merchandise visit ericmarshfoundationforwildlandfirefighters.org or send a tax-deductible check to "Eric Marsh Foundation for Wildland Firefighters" P.O. Box 1574, Chino Valley, Arizona, 86323.
