VFD door-to-door fundraising

[Snow Shovel]

Is this on the level? Last week someone came by the house saying he was collecting for one of the local fire departments. Offered me a sheet of paper in a document protector that explained the fundraiser. Said this paper was "proof" that the fundraiser was legit.

I don't mind contributing to the local fire department; can't thinkof a more worthy cause. Just don't want to be duped. I have lived down here a number of years and have never seen anything like this. Lived in a number of places that relied on volunteer fire departments; never seen it any where else.

So what is the collective wisdom here, is this a legitimate fundraiser?

[JabbaJawz]

Did you take note of which VFD the people were representing? It would just take a couple minutes to give the VFD a quick call to see if they're running any fundraisers, then you'd know for sure!

[watercolor]

Also, you can drill them by asking, who is the supervisor of this fund-raiser event. If they say themselves, do what lauren said, if they give you a name...ask for that person when you call the VFD

[Sharon]

In Calvert they send you an envelope in the mail for donations.

In Charles County, they do come door to door. I make a donation every year and then they stick a sticker on my mailbox, so another person will not come around and ask for another donation. When you write the check, you make the check out to the fire department, otherwise, you don't make a donation. Of course you don't give cash or credit card numbers. When it doubt, call the fire department and ask. I am sure you can drop off a donation to them, if you don't feel comfortable with the door to door thing. Good Luck!

[LPMEDIC]

We at the Lex Park Rescue Squad send out letters in the mail each year and also have people go door-to-door for out picture fundraiser. Where you can donate and come in to get a family Portrait package taken. Our door-to-door people do have literature explaining everything as well as ID for the solicitors.

[giggles04]

In Ridge.... its a mailing! easier that way!

[RoseRed (Premo)]

What bugs me is the so called organizations that solicit for the Sherrif and Fire Departments via phone. What pisses me off is that they get snotty when I say no thanks and that I will donate directly to my local departments, not some middle man.

I have read several stories that report that most of the money goes to the telemarketing company and only a small amount goes to the actual departments.

[Snow Shovel]

As I recall, the guy said it was for Lex Park, but I thought that the name of the fire department was something like Bay Country, or Bay District. That was part of my confusion.

I live in Town Creek; would that be Lex Park? I think as others have said here, a phone call would make me feel better about the whole thing.

Thanks.

[giggles04]

Originally posted by Snow Shovel
As I recall, the guy said it was for Lex Park, but I thought that the name of the fire department was something like Bay Country, or Bay District. That was part of my confusion.

I live in Town Creek; would that be Lex Park? I think as others have said here, a phone call would make me feel better about the whole thing.

Thanks.

If you live in Town Creek, it was Bay District... Company 9... just call the station and ask.