February 26, 2008

RESCUE SQUAD'S ANNUAL FUND DRIVE IS CONCLUDING

  Please mail in your tax-deductible contribution or donate online today.

CFC # 19223

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad's 67th annual door-to-door fundraising campaign is concluding.    The Rescue Squad’s Annual Fund Drive is critical to the existence of the Rescue Squad. Unlike your local fire department, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad does not receive an appropriated budget from any government. Our Annual Fund Drive raises the majority of our $1.5 million annual operating budget.

Residents of the Rescue Squad’s service area, including Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Glen Echo, Upper Northwest Washington, D.C., and parts of Cabin John, North Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, and Kensington, were visited by uniformed volunteers this past fall.  The Rescue Squad does not use paid solicitors to go door-to-door or employ telemarketers for our Annual Fund Drive.    A booklet containing a postage-paid envelope was left for residents who were not home and was mailed to residents of apartments and condominiums. 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 Rescue Squad Participates in the Combined Federal Campaign; New CFC # 19223.

Please take note of our new CFC # 19223.  The CFC has discontinued use of the old four-digit code numbers, and donors must use the Rescue Squad’s new five-digit number in order for us to receive a donation through the CFC. More information is available in the CFC’s Catalog of Caring, at www.cfcnca.org (Clicking on this link will open a new window in your browser and take you to a third-party site.)

About the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad:

Donations fund our response to emergency medical, fire, and rescue incidents. In 2007, Rescue Squad ambulances, medic units and rescue squads responded to more than 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.

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 more than $3 million per year.

All emergency services provided by the Rescue Squad are free of charge. Montgomery County residents can obtain Rescue Squad services by calling 911. Residents of Upper Northwest Washington, D.C., can obtain Rescue Squad services by calling the Squad’s emergency number,

301-652-1000. The Rescue Squad works in partnership with the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department and responds to calls under a coordinated emergency plan.

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad extends its sincere thanks to community leaders and citizens for their past, present, and future support.

BCCRS is a community supported nonprofit organization that has evolved into one of the nation's most advanced rescue squads, providing compassionate, life-saving services to the community. BCCRS does not receive a regular appropriated budget from any government. Instead, it raises almost all of its revenue from individual donors, businesses, and foundations.

BCCRS’s fleet includes 4 medic units, 3 ambulances, 2 heavy rescue squads, 2 air support units for refilling firefighters’ breathing apparatus at fire scenes, and various command and utility vehicles. BCCRS responds on all types of emergency incidents, including injuries, illnesses, heart attacks, vehicle collisions, and house fires.

This is not intended to solicit contributions outside Maryland or the District of Columbia.

D.C. Charitable Solicitation Number 53004867.

A complete financial statement is available by sending an email to info@bccrs.org .

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