|
United Fire Company,
PO Box 286
,
Montrose
,
PA
18801
Dear Friends,
Many of you may
have seen or read in news releases in recent years that the United Fire
Company has received grants from state and federal government programs.
These grants have been used towards the
purchase of turnout gear and radios, upgrading of our self contained
breathing apparatus to current standards and debt reduction on our truck
loans, among other things.
Grant programs are
available from the state through their Volunteer Fire Company Grant and
the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources-Bureau of Forestry
(DCNR), and the federal government through their Assistance to
Firefighters Grant (AFG) and the Department of Agriculture’s rural
development program.
Some may ask, “If
these grant monies are available, why should I make a contribution to
the United Fire Company?”
In
answer to this valid question, it should be noted that some of the
grants come with a cost to us.
For example, the equipment obtained from the
DCNR, in our case a surplus military pick up truck made into a much
needed brush truck, must be maintained, licensed and inspected at our
cost.
In the case of the AFG, we must make a matching
payment of 5% of the funds received.
Even
though we receive grants, your donation is still very important to us
because it contributes towards the matching payments needed and upkeep
of the equipment that the grants allow us to purchase.
Your donation, large or small, increases
exponentially as it is applied towards the grant programs that we take
advantage of.
We as a department feel it is necessary to
take advantage of these grants, even though some cost us, because the
benefits of these grants far outweigh the costs.
Taking advantage of these grants and
applying your contribution towards the costs allows us to be good
stewards of the monies you entrust to us.
Municipal
taxes collected cover only 33% approximately of our operating expenses.
We must make up the
difference through fundraisers such as our breakfasts, dinners, July 4th
Pizza Stand, and our annual fund drive.
The difference you help make up through your
contributions allows us to take advantage of the opportunities afforded
to us through grants.
If you live in our fire district
and did not receive a letter Click
below to download the Word document
Fund drive Letter doc |
