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Volunteers kick off fund drives
Each year, the county's volunteer fire and rescue companies turn to the community for help.
Tom Marable is the president of the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, which represents all 11 fire and rescue companies. Although they get some money from other sources, Marable estimates the companies fund 50 percent of their operating expenses each year.
They do so by hosting special events, such as breakfasts, dinners, festivals, carnivals, holiday activities and open houses.
The Marshall and Warrenton volunteer fire companies each had their open houses over the weekend. In each case, there were plenty of activities and demonstrations.
In Warrenton, children clambered through a “smoke house,” which simulates conditions that occur during a real house fire. In Marshall, visitors watched firefighters use extrication tools to peel the roof off a wrecked vehicle.
In addition to holding special events, the fire companies also accept individual donations and have annual fund drives.
The yearly campaigns for Orlean and Catlett are already underway. So far, Catlett Fire Chief Butch Flippo said contributions are on par with past years.
“The letter just went out. So far, we've had a pretty good response,” Flippo said.
The Marshall Volunteer Fire Department's fund drive will begin next month.
“We will send our letter out Nov. 1,” said Karen Nalls, president of the Marshall Volunteer Fire Department. “We'll usually continue getting donations [from the campaign] through January.”
With the economy tanking, individual donations have been scarce, however.
“Occasionally after an accident someone will send us a check. But we haven't been getting any donations lately,” Nalls said.
Every penny that's donated is used for operations.
“We're still paying off some of our [fire] trucks. We've got one with a $6,000 payment per month and another one with a $4,200 payment per month,” Nalls said. “If we make $500 from something like the chili cook-off, it goes directly into our checking account.”
E-mail the reporter: abogdanovic@timespapers.com
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