The
News................December 2019
Note
from Village of Oblong Mayor Teresa K. Fielder .
Though
this group is often in the background, I
would like to spotlight the members of the
Oblong Fire Department.
In
the late 1960's a local "Toys for Tots" program
was started in which members rounded up used
toys, then cleaned them and made repairs
and distributed those toys to local families
in need.
By
the early 1980's, toy styles were much different
in their quality and/or were electronic,
and they could no longer be repaired or used
again.
At
that time the firefighters decided to start
fundraising to accept monetary donations
which could allow them to purchase 1 new
toy for each child in need in Oblong Township.
The Oblong Volunteer Firefighters Association
was then founded, which would allow their
funds to be completely separate from the
Oblong Fire Department funds.
By
the 1990's, with the support and donations
from the community, and the MANY fundraising
efforts by the firefighters, they have been
able to provide brand new toys for children
in need, living within the Oblong Fire District.
Since that time, many other fire departments
in the county have modeled their program
after the Oblong program.
Though
the name has been changed to "Christmas
for Kids", due to copyright conflict
with the "Toys for Tots" United
States Marine Corps program, the efforts
and mission remain the same.
Our
firefighters are involved in fundraising
throughout the year -from cooking at Metal
Meet, having an (almost always sold out)
pork burger meal before the Homecoming Parade,
and hosting the annual November Singspiration
Gospel Sing at the firehouse.
Several
donations are made through memorials from
Pulliam Funeral Home, local businesses, civic
organizations, school clubs, churches, etc.
In
2018 OFD "Christmas for Kids" program
was able to spend a little over $9,000 to
provide toys, bicycles, books, blankets and
necessities to 71 children from 29 families
in the Oblong Fire District.
Each
year there seems to be more programs established
to help families in need. This shows tremendous
compassion of our community, yet at the same
time it means that donations are split through
various programs, making it difficult to
fully fund each group's respective program.
On
Monday, December 2, sign up will begin for
families who will need additional help this
Christmas. It is intended for those who are
in financial need or financial crisis. This
is NOT a program to be taken advantage of-nor
is it set up as a supplement for those families
who are already receiving from other programs,
or have adequate means.
For
those of you in Oblong Township (Oblong School
District) you will need to come to the Oblong
Public Works Office beginning Monday, December
2, to fill out eligibility forms for your
children. The office is located in the Oblong
Municipal Building at 202 S. Range Street
with hours 8am-4pm Monday thru Friday (**
Take note the office will be closed Nov 28 & 29
for Thanksgiving**).
The
Village of Oblong residents remain extremely
thankful and appreciative for all that our
Oblong Firefighters do for our community!
And Oblong Fire Department wants you all
to know that without the overwhelming support
of this community, their program would not
continue to succeed.
2018 Christmas for Kids
program was able to provide a brighter Christmas for
71 children from 29 families.
The
Oblong Fireman's Association would like to thank the community
for continued support for the
Christmas for Kids
program.
We
wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and
Happy and Safe New Year.
Oblong
Volunteer Firemen's Association
April 23, 2014
Oblong Fire Department was awarded $26,000 grant from
Office of the State Fire Marshall Small Equipment Grant
for the replacement of SCBA (Air Packs).
This grant was a Phase II project to complete the upgrade
of the SCBA's within the department.
December 2013
The Oblong Volunteer Firemen's Association
Christmas for Kids program in December 2013 was able
to assist 66 children to have a brighter Christmas this
year and 39 families.
The Oblong Fireman would like to thank the community
for continued support for the Christmas for Kids program.
We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy
and Safe New Year.
Oblong Volunteer Firemen's Association
January 1, 2013
2012 Total Runs 94
2012 Total Loss $211,800
Click Here
December 17, 2012
The Oblong Volunteer Firemen's Association
Christmas for Kids program on December 15, 2012 was able
to assist 69 children to have a brighter christmas this
year.
The Oblong Fireman would like to thank the community
for continued support for the Christmas for Kids program.
We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy
and Safe New Year.
Oblong Volunteer Firemen's Association
January 2, 2011
The Oblong Firemen's Association wants to Thank everyone
that donated, helped and was part of this year
Christmas for Kids program. It is nice to see a
community come with helping hands every year to
help the kids of the community in this program.
The Firemens Association this year provide Christmas
gifts for 59 kids in 29 family's within our fire
district.
Thank you so much.
December 1, 2010
Oblong Firemen's Association is gearing up for their
Christmas for Kids Program.
Brett Neeley
Reports Officer
Oblong Township Fire Protection District
June 15, 2010
The Oblong Fire Department was awarded a Mary
Heath Foundation grant of $10,162. The money will
be used to upgrade radios and communication equipment
to become more compatible for the upcoming federal mandate.
The department would like to thank the community for
all of their support.
Brett Neeley
Reports Officer
Oblong Township Fire Protection District
May 22, 2010
Oblong Township
Fire Department has been awarded $26,000 from the Office
of State Fire Marshall Small Equipment Grant Program.
This money will be used to upgrade the department Breathing
Apparatus (AIR PACKS).
Brett Neeley
Reports Officer
Oblong Township Fire Protection District
Oblong Township Fire Department
was awarded a Applied Firefighter Grant (AFG) from the
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The $38,000 grant will be used to replace a aging breathing
air compressor used for the departments Self Contained
Breathing Appratus (SCBA).
Oblong Fireman's Association
Christmas for Kids
program was able provided 31 families, 70 children with
gifts to make Christmas a little brighter this year
The Association would like to express their appreciation
to all that donated to the Christmas for Kids Program.
Thank You |
