Present at the April 20, 2018, breakfast were Pastor Tom Burgess, CAAC President Pastor Dave Allen, Al Fowler and Timothy Meyers - Lincoln VFD, Monte Colucci and Mike Currier - Wampsville VFD, Mary Nicholas and Dario Damore of GLAS and CAAC Board Member Scott Trefz. (Canastota VFD representatives unable to attend.)
Present at the April 20, 2018, breakfast were Pastor Tom Burgess, CAAC President Pastor Dave Allen, Al Fowler and Timothy Meyers – Lincoln VFD, Monte Colucci and Mike Currier – Wampsville VFD, Mary Nicholas and Dario Damore of GLAS and CAAC Board Member Scott Trefz. (Canastota VFD representatives unable to attend.)

Canastota Volunteer Recognition Program is winding up a successful third year

A breakfast gathering last Saturday morning at Believers Chapel of Canastota served as the backdrop for the Third Annual CAAC grant presentation to the four volunteer first-responder organizations that serve greater Canastota. Several local church leaders from the Canastota Area Association of Churches were on hand to distribute checks to the enthusiastic officers of those companies. This followed a 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 last year’s $550 level to $750 for each of the four Canastota area volunteer companies: the Canastota Volunteer Fire Department, Wampsville Volunteer Fire Department, Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department 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 robust and generous response from the community, according to CAAC 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; they deserve any expression of thanks and support we can give them,” Allen said.

After the delicious full breakfast served by the men of the church, 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 2019 grants will begin again February next year, with grants distributed in late April. 2018 donations are still being accepted; individuals and organizations interested in supporting this program can contact Trefz by mail at 2743 Perryville Road, Canastota, or by leaving a message at 315.655.9742.

By martha

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