ABILENE, TX — Taylor Electric Cooperative is giving a donation to area volunteer fire departments.
“In the past we’ve gotten about 2,500 dollars a year,” Potosi Volunteer Fire Department Captain, David Sprayberry said.
Potossi VFD is one of the 25 volunteer fire departments to receive an annual donation. This year, the organization is distributing over $70,000.
“Donations to volunteer fire departments are vital because we get very little money as far as tax dollars we do get some help through Taylor County every year, however the bulk of our budget every year comes through fundraising and donations,” Sprayberry said.
Sprayberry said Just to keep doors open and trucks ready to go costs about $65k a year.
“The doors would be shut in a very short period of time,” Sprayberry said.
One of the expenses for volunteer fire departments is fuel, and fueling up just one truck can cost about $140.
“If it wasn’t for the volunteer fire departments, once you’re outside the city limits of Abilene you woulnd’t have any fire service to speak of,” Sprayberry said.
Often it means the volunteers are fundraising more than they’re fighting fires.
“It is kind of a thankless job however it is a very rewarding job,” Sprayberry said.
Next on their agenda is holding a spring cleanout Saturday to raise more funds.
They hope this will allow them to have enough fuel and equipment to fight any flame.