When Orlando mom Sam Bellar lost her 19-year-old son, Devon Nicholas Bellar, in early 2025, she made a promise: his dream of becoming a firefighter wouldn’t end with him. Out of that heartbreak came Devon’s Legacy Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping young adults remove financial barriers to public service careers—especially firefighting.
“Devon was courageous, kind-hearted, and always ready to help,” Sam shares. “Now every scholarship we fund helps another young person carry that same spirit into the world.”
Empowering Tomorrow’s First Responders
The foundation’s Fire Academy Sponsorship fully covers tuition, gear, and certification costs for students pursuing fire academy training. These scholarships give aspiring first responders the chance to serve their communities without the burden of financial stress.
Beyond financial aid, Devon’s Legacy offers a Public Service Leadership Certificate, a free six-week online course that teaches safety, teamwork, ethics, and CPR—skills that prepare students not just for the academy but for life.
Its Ignite A Legacy Mentorship Program connects participants with current and retired firefighters, giving them real-world insight and encouragement as they navigate their path into public service.
A Community Movement
What started as one mother’s mission has become a growing community movement. Devon’s Legacy has already received support from organizations like The Orlando Magic, Ollie’s Public House, and Vanbarry’s Public House, as well as corporate sponsors who share the belief that courage and service should be celebrated and supported.
Every dollar donated goes directly toward shaping the next generation of firefighters.
- $2,500 funds a full fire-academy scholarship.
- $1,000 provides essential gear and tools.
- Even $100 helps cover CPR or certification costs.
How You Can Help
Families can get involved by:
- Sharing the scholarship link with high-school or college-aged students (ages 16–26) who dream of serving their communities.
- Becoming a local business sponsor or donating at any level.
- Following and sharing the foundation’s social media pages to spread the word.
To learn more, visit www.DevonsLegacyFoundation.org or contact DevonsLegacy@yahoo.com.
Together, we can remove barriers, ignite futures, and carry forward a young man’s legacy of courage and compassion.
📸 Photos:
1️⃣ Sam Bellar and her son Devon — whose dream of becoming a firefighter continues through Devon’s Legacy Foundation.
2️⃣ Devon Bellar-Yates studying for his fire academy certification. His dedication now inspires a new generation of future firefighters.
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