Don't get burned by bogus fire solicitors

Recently, it has come to our attention that there have been several telephone-solicitation organizations claiming to be affiliated with the Woodbridge or Carteret fire departments. They are not affiliated with local fire volunteer companies. When these solicitors call, they claim donations would benefit the local volunteer fire company. However, the local fire company never gets any of this money. The phone solicitors get most of the money, and the organizations they solicit for get the rest.
To prevent any confusion that may exist, we would like to explain our fund-raising procedures.

The volunteer fire companies of Woodbridge and Carteret conduct their fund raising through direct mailings. The fund-drive letter is on the letterhead of the local fire company. Some fire companies opt to conduct door-to-door solicitations. These firefighters always will be in their official uniforms. They also will carry official fire-company identification. All fire companies will provide a receipt, if requested. Please do not be taken in by a phone solicitation organization claiming to represent a local fire company.

Brian Bennett
WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP
FIRE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Source: Home News Tribune
Published: June 07, 1999