When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Orange Volunteer Fire Department to cancel its most important funding source, the Orange Volunteer Fireman’s Carnival, members of the Orange Board of Finance put a team together to start the “Fire Truck $50K Challenge,” a GoFundMe page.
The challenge has raised over $22,700 from 172 donors to date, including six members of the 2% Club – people who have donated at least $1,000. The goal is to reach $50,000 or more, which will cover the cost of a new fire truck.
The truck replaces equipment first placed into service in 1978. It was purchased to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements that the old truck no longer met. “
“The truck we replaced lasted over 40 years in service and like all of our equipment was well maintained. We do our best to ensure that every dollar donated to the OVFD is efficiently spent to benefit the residents of Orange,” said Chief Vaughan Dumas.
Top donors will be eligible for certain rewards, including a home fire extinguisher, a fire truck ride and lunch with OVFD leadership.
“They will still come when you call, but the equipment is expensive, and a $50,000 truck payment is nothing to sneeze at,” said First Selectman Jim Zeoli. “Let’s get this done.”
Visit orangevfd.org or orange-ct.org to contribute.