The letter campaign is an annual event and the only fundraiser that the squad has during the year. The squad began the campaign 12 years ago instead of having barbecues, reverse drawings or other fundraisers. The drive will end on January 31, 2000. Meanwhile, Town Manager Ray McDonald Sr. said he is working to find ways to help recoup some of the loss, possibly through more county and municipal funding. Ms. Sutton said the letters, dated November 1, will be mailed around October 30.
Donations are tax deductible.
While the letters are intended for residents of the Mount Olive rescue district, some postal customers of neighboring rescue districts may get them because of the way mail is delivered, Ms. Sutton said. She said some Mount Olive addresses, for instance, lap over into districts served by Seven Springs, Faison, Goldsboro, Grantham and Suttontown rescue squads, she said. Ms. Sutton said while the squad would appreciate any donations, residents of other rescue districts are urged to donate to their squads. For anyone wishing to make a donation to the Mount Olive squad, it may be mailed to Mount Olive Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 616, Mount Olive, NC 28365. Funds from past letter campaigns have been used to help purchase rescue vehicles and pay for equipment, according to Ms. Sutton.