July 1 , 2010
MEDIA AND COMMUNITY ADVISORY
Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad Begins
70th Annual Door-to-Door Fund Drive
This month the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad begins its 70th annual door-to-door
fundraising campaign, which continues through October. The Rescue Squad’s Annual Fund Drive is critical to the existence of the Rescue Squad. Unlike most other fire/rescue departments, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad does not receive an appropriated budget from any government. Your donations fund the majority of our $2 million annual operating budget.
Residents of the Rescue Squad’s service area, including Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Friendship Heights, Glen Echo, Upper Northwest Washington, and parts of Cabin John, Potomac, North Bethesda, Rockville, and Kensington, can expect uniformed volunteers and emergency vehicles in their neighborhoods between 5:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekdays, and from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For the first time this year, some residents will receive our fund drive booklet via the U.S. Mail. Our goal is to reach every resident we serve in the most efficient manner, and we welcome feedback on the method we use to reach you. As in past years, a booklet containing a postage-paid envelope will be left for residents who are not home and will be mailed to residents of apartments and condominiums.
The Rescue Squad does not use paid solicitors or employ telemarketers. All personnel are always in full uniform and carry Rescue Squad identification. Residents are encouraged to ask for identification and may obtain additional verification of a Rescue Squad member’s identity by calling the Rescue Squad dispatcher at 301-652-0077.
Rescue Squad chosen by Catalogue for Philanthropy as one of 
the finest small charities in the region.
The Rescue Squad is proud to announce that it has been selected by the Catalogue for Philanthropy as one of the finest smaller nonprofits that Greater Washington has to offer. “Charities were selected for excellence, innovation, cost-effectiveness, and financial transparency–and for what they can teach us about the extraordinary ways that philanthropy works. . . . These are certainly among the best small charities in the Washington, D.C. region,” stated Barbara Harman, Executive Director of the Harman Family Foundation and President of the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. Please visit www.cfp-dc.org for further information.
Contributions are tax-deductible; Rescue Squad participates in the Combined Federal Campaign.
The Rescue Squad is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and contributions to the Rescue Squad are tax-deductible as permitted by law. The B-CC Rescue Squad also participates in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC # 19223).
About the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad:
The Rescue Squad is a valuable part of the community, providing security and peace of mind to residents and businesses, as well as visitors. In 2009, Rescue Squad ambulances, medic units and rescue squads responded to almost 10,000 emergencies, including illnesses, injuries, heart attacks, vehicle collisions, house fires, and many other incidents. In addition, the Rescue Squad provides a variety of non-emergency services to the community.
Montgomery County residents can summon Rescue Squad services by calling 911. Residents of Upper Northwest Washington can summon Rescue Squad services by calling 301-652-1000. Click here for a map of our service area. The Rescue Squad works in partnership with the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and the D.C. Fire and EMS Department and responds to calls under a coordinated emergency plan. The training, services, and equipment at the B-CC Rescue Squad are among the best in the United States, regardless of whether paid staff or volunteers are on duty.
The generous contributions from the public, grants from community organizations, and the efforts of 150 professionally trained volunteers result in an estimated savings to taxpayers of $3.4 million per year. The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad extends its sincere thanks to community leaders and citizens for their support, which makes this possible.
For further information on the operation of our Annual Fund Drive, contact the B-CC Rescue Squad at 301-652-0077 and ask for the Officer in Charge. For more information on ways to donate to the Rescue Squad, please call 301-674-5270, email us at development@bccrs.org, or visit www.bccrs.org.
The Rescue Squad invites all residents to attend our free annual “Rescue Day” Open House on Saturday, October 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Community leaders are encouraged to publish this information in community papers, electronic bulletin boards and listservs, and to reproduce and distribute copies of this advisory.
D.C. Charitable Solicitation No. 53004867
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