(2/1) As the COVID-19 pandemic forges on, fire companies and ambulance services struggle to hold revenue-generating fundraisers, while further suffering from the lack of state or federal compensation for the cancellations of events resulting from of the virus.
Emmitsburg’s Vigilant Hose Company has experienced a loss of revenue amounting to more than $250,000 resulting from the loss of key fundraisers which could not be held in 2020. According to company president Tom Ward, half a year’s worth of bingo games had to be cancelled last year, as well as feeds and dinner events.
Ward stated that bingo was re-opened from mid-summer until Thanksgiving, when the department had to cease once again – the state again reduced the allowable capacity of attendees at events on the heels of Thanksgiving. "Twenty-five percent capacity was not worth the risk of holding the events," the company president stated.
The company is considering holding parking-lot bingos this year and converting the popular a virtual Spring Fling into a virtual event. "We’re also looking at having more carry-out and drive-through meal events.
Fairfield Fire & EMS is not only struggling with how to best celebrate its 100th anniversary this year amid the pandemic but what types of fundraisers can even be held during 2021.
Fairfield sustained a loss of fundraising revenue in excess of $130,000, in 2020 according to Treasurer Gayle Marthers. "We’ve cut back on expenditures as much as we can," she recently told the Carroll Valley Borough Council. "It still takes money to keep the rigs rolling."
Most of the fundraising events that were to have been held in 2020 had to be cancelled because of COVID protocols regarding crowd-sizes, including the company’s annual banquet, Open House, and EMS Day. Less-than-ten bingo games were held before the company threw in the towel.
The department however did hold a drive-thru dinner event, which Fire Chief Bill Jacobs described as having been a "good success," and one that the department may continue with, when weather improves. Other than that, he stated, "We really haven’t had any fundraisers."
Jacobs noted that the only way to ensure that a fundraiser is worthwhile is if the event can attract a "couple of hundred people." If restrictions are not eased he said, the department will consider virtual events.
Thanks to its huge banquet hall, the Thurmont Ambulance Company has been able to continue to host, with rare breaks, its regular Friday night bingos while meeting County occupancy and social distancing requirements. Only special bingos had to be cancelled.
Small emergency response companies however suffered disproportionately in financial setbacks sustained as the result of the COVID protocols. Rocky Ridge VFC reported a loss of approximately $110,000. All of Rocky Ridge’s fund-raising activities were canceled - the big one being their carnival. Others were the car show, butchering, breakfast, gun raffle and bingos.
Harney VHC had to cancel its carnival and all its fundraisers, and as noted in last month’s edition of the Emmitsburg News-Journal, it had to forgo the celebration of the arrival of a new fire truck.
Most VFCs accept donations at any time during the year, not just via fundraisers. If interested in donating, please visit your respective Fire Company websites to donate. Your donation will be greatly appreciated.
