Groveland – The Groveland firefighters are asking for cars.
Not for their own use, but to give back to the community in which they serve.
‘We started collecting old cars from the community to raise money for fire equipment,? said Steve McGee, Groveland Fire Department chief.
McGee says last year the idea of having the community donate their old junkers to the department was a twofold project.
First, to encourage residents to clean out their property by providing a location to dispose of the rusted relics.
Second, the department would use the unsalvagable pieces for accident rescue training.
The cars that could be recycled would be sold off at a department auction; the profit would be used to defray the cost of fire equipment, such as uniforms.
McGee said the plan is a win-win situation because the township is keeping the donations within the community by supplementing operating funds.
‘It worked well last year,? said McGee. ‘We sold everything.?
And they did it without the expense of hosting an auction because as the donations began to evolve from the community, McGee said, they were getting more cars that were functional.
‘It grew from there,? he said. ‘As the community heard about what we were doing we sold them outright instead.?
Currently the department has 15 cars, a motor home, a boat, and 2 motorcycles.
McGee says residents interested in buying or donating can visit Station One at any time.
The department will issue a donation letter upon receipt of the vehicle.