Rotary auction will help GV Fire Corps

Three local Rotary Clubs will be joining forces in March to bring attention to a little-known community organization.

The Green Valley, Sahuarita and Valley Verde Rotary clubs will be holding a radio auction March 15 with the goal of raising $25,000 for the Green Valley Fire District Fire Corps, a group of about 25 specially trained volunteers who handle non-emergency fire calls. The money will go toward a Ford F-150 truck for the volunteers.

This is the second fundraiser sponsored by the three clubs. The proceeds of last year’s radio auction, $6,000, were split between the clubs, but a specific goal was sought for the 2008 event, said Maureen McCarthy, chair of the auction.

“We wanted it to be something the entire community could unite behind, something that would benefit everyone. And we wanted something visual... so people in the community could see the truck driving by and know that they had a part in providing that.”

The Fire Corps is a national program launched by the Department of Homeland Security in 2004 to encourage active citizen support of fire departments.

The volunteers, who are required to complete 40 hours of training, play a major role in handling the multitude of non-emergency calls the Green Valley Fire District receives daily, freeing firefighters — and fire engines — for real emergency situations.

Their duties include clearing brush around fire hydrants and marking their locations in the road, checking smoke detectors, and responding to rattlesnake calls. They also deliver interdepartmental mail, transport medical supplies between stations and assist with the update of Fire District maps.

Currently, the volunteers drive an old pickup truck owned by the Fire District. But because the volunteers aren’t licensed to drive fire engines, if the truck isn’t available, employed firefighters are required to respond. With the high cost of fuel, this is not only impractical, but uneconomical for the district.

The club directors want to bring public exposure to the Fire Corps, and hope the magnitude of their $25,000 goal will encourage interest in the program.

“Ninety percent of the people I’ve talked to don’t know who the Fire Corps are,” said Jack Carter, who is in charge of auction publicity. “People know about the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers, and these guys deserve just as much recognition.”

The auction will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 15 on KGVY Radio — 1080 AM. Photos of the items will be displayed online along with the time each will be auctioned over the air.

Community businesses can help out by donating products and service certificates to be auctioned, said McCarthy.

You also can help by becoming a sponsor. All donations count as a tax write-off, and those who donate over $500 will get their name on a permanent plaque in Fire Station 151.

A raffle will be held at the end of the auction, the grand prize being a trip for two to Costa Rica. Proceeds go toward to truck fund.

Listen to the Rotary Radio Auction directors discuss the event at a KGVY “Around the Cracker Barrel” on Jan. 11 at 11:30 a.m.

Contact Maureen McCarthy at 399-2821 for more details.

jrichardson@gvnews.com | 547-9726