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Organizer seeks county support for Hometown Heroes Day fundraiser and first‑responder scholarships
Summary
A community organizer asked commissioners to support a Sept. 27 free Hometown Heroes Day at the fairgrounds to raise money for volunteer fire departments and to establish $500 scholarships for graduating seniors pursuing first-responder careers.
During the public‑comment portion of the Sept. 2 meeting, a planning‑committee member described the inaugural Van Buren County Hometown Heroes Day planned for Sept. 27 at the county fairgrounds and asked commissioners and the public for support.
The organizer told commissioners the free, donation‑supported event will feature a "touch‑a‑truck" display of emergency apparatus, food, family activities and an awards ceremony. Proceeds will fund volunteer fire departments based on the percentage of emergency responses each department logged during the first seven months of the year. The committee also plans to offer a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior who intends to pursue a first‑responder career and, for those entering clinical programs, to provide funds for a professional stethoscope (estimated $200).
Committee members said donations are being collected through the Little Free Pantry account, which has two named treasurers; they emphasized transparency and that the planning committee cannot access the funds without the designated treasurers.
Commissioners were asked to consider modest donations (a suggested benchmark of $100) from officials who wish to support the fundraiser. The event organizer said the planning committee has received contributions from several commissioners and local partners and that the committee hopes to have costs covered before the Sept. 27 event. No formal county appropriation or direct county financial commitment was requested during public comment.
