Post by admin on Jul 14, 2010 10:23:27 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-07-14/Front_Page/Foundation_will_match_first_aid_squad_donations.html
Foundation will match first aid squad donations
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Sometimes, when you least expect it, a light shines on your darkness. So it is with the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad — and Barry Tobias of Manalapan is that light.
First aid squad trustee Bill Madden told the News Transcript this week that Tobias, who is vice president of the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation, had contacted him to offer his help with the squad’s annual fundraising drive that is now in progress.
“He was very concerned with the 21 percent rate of return for our fundraising mail- ers,” Madden said. “He couldn’t believe it.”
Madden has said that donations have been on the decline over the past five years for the first aid squad that serves Freehold Borough and Freehold Township.
In addition to the money it collects through fundraisers, the first aid squad receives $14,000 from Freehold Borough, plus free gasoline, free water service, a tax-exempt building and workers’ compensation coverage. The first aid squad receives $35,000 from Freehold Township to help fund its operating expenses.
According to Madden, the squad’s operating expenses for 2009 totaled $260,000 and donations came in at $122,000.
Madden said Tobias sent a letter to the first aid squad authorizing a challenge match grant.
“The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation will match all donations to the Freehold First Aid Squad of $50 or more. The total maximum amount from the foundation will be $5,000,” Madden said.
Tobias said that after reading about the plight of the first aid squad in a May 26 News Transcript article, he was “very depressed” and “appalled” at the 21 percent return rate from the squad’s June 2009 fundraising drive.
“There are a few institutions that I believe deserve everyone’s support, and one of them is the first aid squad,” Tobias said. “It’s an insurance policy. It’s a resource you hope you are never going to have to use, but you know it’s there when you need it. These volunteers donate their time and effort and work very hard for no money in return.
“If someone gives $50, I will match it. If they give $100, I’ll match it. I will match anything up to $5,000,” he said. “We are hoping this challenge will induce people to give. If they were going to write a check for $25, maybe now they will write one for $50, and we’ll match it. I believe in first aid squads. I believe in what they are doing, and this is my way of doing what I can to help.”
Tobias said any charity that the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation is involved with, he and his wife, Star, personally get involved in and support as well.
“I wrote my own personal check out to the first aid squad when I sent them the original letter,” he said.
Suggesting a way to bring in more donations for the first aid squad, Tobias said people might want to consider giving up one movie a year and writing a check for $50 to the first aid squad, which the foundation will match.
The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation in New York supports many charitable endeavors, including the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Area Open Door, the Samaritan Center inManalapan, and the Children’s Specialized Hospital, which is affiliated with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, among many others.
Tobias said the foundation is involved in cultural efforts, medical research, children’s programs, museums, and various other pursuits.
“My goal with this challenge is to make sure that the first aid squad has what it needs to operate,” he said. “We are hoping the residents of Freehold Borough and Freehold Township will respond to this wonderful opportunity so that the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad can achieve its matching requirement.”
Madden asked people to be as generous as possible.
Donations may be sent to the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad, 18 Spring St., Freehold 07728.
Foundation will match first aid squad donations
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Sometimes, when you least expect it, a light shines on your darkness. So it is with the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad — and Barry Tobias of Manalapan is that light.
First aid squad trustee Bill Madden told the News Transcript this week that Tobias, who is vice president of the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation, had contacted him to offer his help with the squad’s annual fundraising drive that is now in progress.
“He was very concerned with the 21 percent rate of return for our fundraising mail- ers,” Madden said. “He couldn’t believe it.”
Madden has said that donations have been on the decline over the past five years for the first aid squad that serves Freehold Borough and Freehold Township.
In addition to the money it collects through fundraisers, the first aid squad receives $14,000 from Freehold Borough, plus free gasoline, free water service, a tax-exempt building and workers’ compensation coverage. The first aid squad receives $35,000 from Freehold Township to help fund its operating expenses.
According to Madden, the squad’s operating expenses for 2009 totaled $260,000 and donations came in at $122,000.
Madden said Tobias sent a letter to the first aid squad authorizing a challenge match grant.
“The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation will match all donations to the Freehold First Aid Squad of $50 or more. The total maximum amount from the foundation will be $5,000,” Madden said.
Tobias said that after reading about the plight of the first aid squad in a May 26 News Transcript article, he was “very depressed” and “appalled” at the 21 percent return rate from the squad’s June 2009 fundraising drive.
“There are a few institutions that I believe deserve everyone’s support, and one of them is the first aid squad,” Tobias said. “It’s an insurance policy. It’s a resource you hope you are never going to have to use, but you know it’s there when you need it. These volunteers donate their time and effort and work very hard for no money in return.
“If someone gives $50, I will match it. If they give $100, I’ll match it. I will match anything up to $5,000,” he said. “We are hoping this challenge will induce people to give. If they were going to write a check for $25, maybe now they will write one for $50, and we’ll match it. I believe in first aid squads. I believe in what they are doing, and this is my way of doing what I can to help.”
Tobias said any charity that the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation is involved with, he and his wife, Star, personally get involved in and support as well.
“I wrote my own personal check out to the first aid squad when I sent them the original letter,” he said.
Suggesting a way to bring in more donations for the first aid squad, Tobias said people might want to consider giving up one movie a year and writing a check for $50 to the first aid squad, which the foundation will match.
The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation in New York supports many charitable endeavors, including the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Area Open Door, the Samaritan Center inManalapan, and the Children’s Specialized Hospital, which is affiliated with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, among many others.
Tobias said the foundation is involved in cultural efforts, medical research, children’s programs, museums, and various other pursuits.
“My goal with this challenge is to make sure that the first aid squad has what it needs to operate,” he said. “We are hoping the residents of Freehold Borough and Freehold Township will respond to this wonderful opportunity so that the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad can achieve its matching requirement.”
Madden asked people to be as generous as possible.
Donations may be sent to the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad, 18 Spring St., Freehold 07728.