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Dear
Community Supporter,
Your
Volunteer Fire Department was very busy in 2008 by answering over 3000
calls for EMS, Fire, Rescue, and Swift Water Rescue services within and
around the Arbutus Community. We also continued to visit the elementary
and middle schools to educate our most precious resource, our children, in
fire prevention and safety at home and in the school. In order to
continue to provide the service you’ve come to expect and deserve we are
once again asking for your financial assistance.
We continue
to maintain a capital budget to address both our facilities and apparatus
needs over the next 15 years although some of these plans are on hold due
to the current economic rollercoaster. We also understand that everyone
is feeling the affects of this prolonged economic slide, although rest
assure that your Volunteer Fire Department continues to strive to provide
the best service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our largest
challenge ahead of us is the replacement of your heavy duty rescue
squad which carries all types of equipment and tools for rescuing
citizens involved in motor vehicle accidents, industrial accidents,
building collapses, and other precarious situations. Your current squad
is 16 years old and while it has served us well it is showing its age and
will need to be replaced within the next several years. The replacement
cost is expected to be approximately $750,000 which we currently have set
aside about 10% of that expense. Additionally, as many of you have
experienced, our utilities and general maintenance cost continue to
increase.
This is
our only direct request to the community for assistance. The mailing
is handled by members of our department which enables us to receive 100%
of your donation. Also we do not conduct telephone solicitations.
Many corporations also offer matching donations for employees who donate
to charitable organizations so please check with your company’s financial
department to see if they participate in this type of program.
Please take
a few moments and send in your tax deductible check or money order
to the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department in the enclosed return
envelope or make your donation online by clicking the "donate" button.
If you would like to find out more about the department, or are interested
in joining, please stop by or visit us online. We also welcome any
prospective members who are interested in the Department or Auxiliary to
join us during our monthly social at the firehouse on the first Wednesday
of every month at 7 PM.
Thank You
for your continued support of the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department and
Auxiliary.
Respectfully,
John W. McDowell
President |
