Seasons of Giving

TFC James Reidy, who was shot in the line of duty and suffered innumerable permanent injuries, received a therapeutic hot tub to help reduce pain and improve his mobility. After being struck three-times by a high-powered rifle, TFC Reidy underwent over a dozen surgeries and was still in almost permanent pain.

Thanks to the Connecticut State Police Union, ThermoSpas and many other generous CT companies and individuals, today TFC Reidy is able to enjoy warm water therapy in his own backyard. Several years ago, TFC Reidy was an avid golfer, skier, and softball player, who played daily 1-on-1 basketball games with his 17-year-old daughter. He was such a jock that he had even tried out for the New England Patriots before becoming a CT State Trooper.

All that changed on Sept. 3, 1998...

TFC Reidy responded to the report of "gun shots" in Willington. When he arrived in the area he was not aware that a crazed gunman had shot Troopers Pelletier and Hoague while they were in the process of investigating a vandalism complaint. Before he could exit his cruiser, TFC Reidy was struck three times.

During a lull in the barrage of bullets, TFC Reidy had the courage to return fire. He wounded the gunman and sent him crawling for cover.

David LeBlanc, President of the Connecticut State Police Union, and Andrew Tournas, President of Connecticut-based ThermoSpas, Inc. were on hand to present TFC Reidy with The Healing Spa™, the first hot tub to be designed with the Arthritis Foundation specifically for people with muscle and joint pain. It features 69 therapy jets.

Thermospas' Seasons of Giving program was created to help children who could not otherwise afford a hot tub for warm water therapy. However, TFC Reidy's inspirational behavior and selfless conduct convinced Thermospas to make this rare exception to the program.

TFC Reidy in his outdoor hot tub

For more information on ThermoSpas Seasons of Giving program or to nominate a child to be considered for a hot tub donation, please click here.