A resident of Calhoun, Missouri, recently made a generous contribution of $500,000 to the town’s volunteer fire department. As reported by KMBC-TV, this longtime resident will soon discover the impact of his donation.
“I’ve been planning to make a donation to the fire department for several years,” said Sloan, a 91-year-old resident of Henry County since 1960. Speaking to the television station, he expressed his intention to contribute half a million dollars, emphasizing the significance of such a generous donation.
Calhoun Volunteer Fire Chief Mark Hardin is confident that the funds will be put to great use. According to KMBC, the department, which had only one volunteer when Hardin assumed the role of chief in 2021, plans to utilize the money to acquire three firetrucks, as well as new equipment and gear for their crew of 28. Hardin emphasized that the current gear being used by the volunteers dates back to the 1980s and 1990s.
“The first thing on our agenda is to replace our tanker pumper. It’s been patched up a staggering 17 times in the past year, and I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve personally welded it,” Hardin shared with the television station. “Next Monday, we have arranged for all our firefighters to be fitted with brand new gear, from head to toe.”
Sloan is delighted by this.
Sloan, in an interview with KMBC, humbly acknowledged that while he is receiving recognition for his generous donation, he does not possess the expertise to repair the machines. He emphasized that his strength lies in his ability to generate income, highlighting the distinction between his skills and the technical know-how required for fixing such devices.
Hardin mentioned that his department will be donating the old gear to other volunteer fire departments in need of assistance.
“We have a strong desire to assist our neighbors and pay it forward,” Hardin shared with the television station.
Sloan’s generous contribution will greatly contribute to the modernization efforts of the Calhoun Volunteer Fire Department.
“I could never have imagined something like this happening to a small fire department,” Hardin expressed to KMBC. “Back in March, at the end of our first quarter, we only had $169 left in our bank account.”
