SOUTHWICK–The town’s fire department is seeking businesses to assist in developing their new calendar.
The Southwick Fire Department is selling space on each month’s page in order to raise money for an all-terrain rescue vehicle, or ATR. All money received from the businesses will go toward producing the calendar, while all funds raised from donations from residents who get the calendar will help to purchase the ATR.
“Last year people will remember that we did a fundraiser with a photographer,” Jessica Bishop, Southwick firefighter-paramedic and project organizer, said. “From that we made a little over $9,000. It was really impressive and great to see the community reach out. It was quite touching.”
A photo of Southwick Fire Department personnel hanging an American flag, that may appear in the calendar.
That photography project, which cost $25 per donation and those who participated received the chance to have a professional portrait taken and their own copy, led to the department purchasing a thermal imaging camera.
The calendar will be designed to have pictures from the fire department for each month, from December 2016 to January 2018. Spaces around the pictures will be used for businesses to advertise. The calendars will be sent to every residence in Southwick, along with an envelope that suggests a donation. However, donations are optional.
The money raised from donations will help to provide a new ATR for the department. This vehicle is used to respond to medical situations where a victim is off-road, as well as getting firefighters to and from brush fires, among other uses.
This year alone, Bishop estimates that 30 to 35 acres of land has been struck by brush fires, and the town faces several off-road accidents a year that require EMTs, paramedics and firefighters to leave their vehicles to get to the victim.
A group of Southwick firefighters. This photo may be used in the calendar. Photo provided by Jessica Bishop.
Businesses can purchase business card-sized advertisements that adorn the border of each page. The pricing varies, from $50 for one month to $490 for 13 months.
Those interested can email Bishop at [email protected], or call (413)569-6363 and ask to speak with someone about the calendar.
