A breakfast gathering Saturday morning May 4 at Believers Chapel in Canastota served as the backdrop for the fourth annual Canastota Area Association of Churches grant presentation to the four volunteer First Responder organizations that serve greater Canastota. Several local church leaders from the CAAC were on hand to distribute checks to the appreciative officers of those companies. This followed a two-month-long fund-raising period to area businesses and past supporters.
In a vote of the CAAC Board last January, the annual Canastota Volunteer First Responders Award grants were raised from $750 last year to $1,000 for each of those Canastota-area volunteer companies: Canastota, Wampsville and Lincoln volunteer fire departments and the Greater Lenox Ambulance Service. The money for these grants came from a special reserve fund left over from past years’ fundraising, fortified with this year’s proceeds, the increase reflecting a very generous response from the community, according to CAAC Volunteer Recognition Chairman Scott Trefz.
“Each volunteer organization can use the funds for equipment, training, or any other purpose they deem important,” CAAC President Pastor Dave Allen said.
A later release will highlight what each company has done with recent grant monies, and some of those investments are exciting additions for service to the community.
“The Association of Churches believes in the value of these men and women and the work they do,” Allen said. “They deserve any expression of thanks and support we can give them.”
After the delicious full breakfast catered by The Toast of Canastota, the CAAC leaders took time to pray for the safety and effectiveness of those volunteers as they go about their lifesaving duties in the coming year.
Fundraising for the 2020 grants will begin again February next year, with grants distribution in late April; 2019 donations are still being accepted. Individuals and organizations interested in supporting this program can contact Trefz by mail at 2743 Perryville Road, Canastota, N.Y. 13032 or by leaving a message at 315.655.9742.