August 5, 1986

Women repay department's help

       Two women have thanked White River firemen in a big way by helping them deposit about $11,000 in their bank account.  For nearly a year, Marlene Sutton and Suzy Falkner have burned the area with a fundraising effort the White River Volunteer Fire Department has been glad not to extinguish.  Because of the women’s organizing efforts, the Fire Department will soon pay off the remaining balance on its rescue unit.  “I’m sure every fire department would want to have two women like this,” said White River Assistant Chief Pat McDaniel.  The White River women became involved in the Fire Department’s fund raising nearly a year ago.  It was their way of saying thank you.

         Mrs. Sutton’s 16 month old son Jonathon suffered seizures, and the rescue squad quickly responded with help a year ago.  Mrs. Faulkner’s home was saved from fire in 1981 because of fast action by the department.  The friends decided they should return the favors.  “It’s kind of unusual for people to get involved with the fire department after an emergency like that,” said Mrs. McDaniel.  “We’ve had some people join the department, but you don’t see it happen very often.”  Mrs. Sutton and Mrs. Faulkner didn’t join the department, but they helped where the volunteer department needed it the most, in the pocket book.

         “The volunteer firemen were running out of energy trying to get everything done,” Mrs. Sutton said.  “They work and they are out on emergency runs.  They needed somebody to help organize their fundraising activities.”  “We told them we would be there for the events if they could get them organized,” Mrs. McDaniel said.  The two White River women spent endless hours on the telephone and numerous days seeing each detail was completed.  Within 13 months, a rescue squad fundraising committee deposited $11,139 in the bank.  That amount did not include $2,490 raised through a $35 charge for each rescue run.

         During a general Fire Department meeting Sunday night, the committee announced it had enough money to pay off the rescue unit, purchased for $26,000 in 1983.  “Honestly, we didn’t know if we would ever see the day (when the debt was paid),” Mrs. McDaniel said.  Mrs. Sutton attributed the success of the fundraising effort to the people who donated money and time.  “We really don’t want to take credit for this.  A lot of people were responsible for this,” she said.  A Country and Western show at Center Grove Middle School, featuring Stella Parton, raised $6,927.  A fish fry at the Center Grove Strawberry Festival netted another $3,094.

         Other fundraising events included a raffle ($700), donations during a Center Grove High School football game ($178), a Carefree subdivision garage sale ($100) and a concession stand sale ($40).  The department also received a $100 donation from the White River Chamber of Commerce.  Mrs. Sutton hopes the effort pumps new life into the Fire Department, which had some troubles gathering donations in past years.  White River firemen yearly try to raise funds by sending letters to nearly 4,500 homes throughout the township.  In 1982, they received $23,000 in donations, but got only $15,000 in 1983.  It dipped even lower to $12,000 last year.  Volunteer fire departments receive no tax dollars to pay for rescue trucks or to defray costs of operating the units.

         The department plans its annual letter writing campaign again this year but will instead wait until the fall to send its letters.  “We don’t want to hit everybody hard the first part of the year.  We still need our annual fundraising money very much,” Mrs. McDaniel stressed; we have another $80,000 debt unpaid for two fire trucks.  “I guess we can’t thank Marlene and Suzy enough.  We wish there was more we could do,” she added.  The department made the two women honorary members and presented them roses at last year’s Christmas party.  “Until you need them (firemen), you really don’t realize they are out there.  We found out and we wanted to give something back,” Mrs. Sutton said.

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