September 5, 2006

Community Alert

Beware of fire department and police charity scams

Local officials recently warned residents of  deceptive practices by fundraisers purporting to benefit police officers and firefighters.  In one case, Montgomery County, Maryland, officials charged that an operation currently soliciting donations in the County for police groups was a “scam” operation that did not benefit police officers and that spent an average of 78 percent of the donations it received to pay fundraising and management expenses.

 As the Rescue Squad’s annual door-to-door fund drive is now under way, we would like to advise you on how you may donate safely to the Rescue Squad.

The person at my door is asking for a donation on behalf of the Rescue Squad.   How do I know he or she is legitimate? 

All Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad personnel who go door-to-door are volunteer members of the Rescue Squad.  We do not use paid solicitors to go door-to-door.    All members who ask for contributions are always in full uniform and carry Rescue Squad identification.   You should feel free to call the Rescue Squad dispatcher at (301) 652-0077 for further verification of a Rescue Squad member’s identity.

How can I donate safely to the Rescue Squad?

The only ways to donate to the Rescue Squad’s Annual Fund Drive are to give a donation to the uniformed member who calls at your door; charge your donation to your credit card or write a check, payable to BCCRS, which may be mailed in the postage-paid envelope in the booklet that you receive at your residence; or authorize a payroll deduction through the Combined Federal Campaign (#19223).

What if I live in an apartment building or condominium?    Will I be visited by a Rescue Squad volunteer?   

Residents of most apartments and condominiums in the Rescue Squad’s service area will receive a Fund Drive booklet in the mail during September.  You may contribute by writing a check or filling in the credit card information on the postage-paid envelope contained in the booklet.    

How does the Rescue Squad use my donation?

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad receives more than $ 1 million in donations from residents and businesses, and in grants from community-minded organizations.  Thanks to the efforts of  150 professionally trained volunteers, a daytime staff, and two Montgomery County Paramedics, the Rescue Squad leverages its donated funds into $ 4 million in services to the community.  Donations to the Rescue Squad pay for the Squad’s operating, management, and capital costs so that we may continue serving the Bethesda-Chevy Chase and surrounding areas, and Upper Northwest Washington, D.C.  The Annual Fund Drive booklet that you receive contains a summary of our revenues and operating expenditures.

For more information on our Annual Fund drive, click here. 

Click here to read the Washington Post report on charity scams.

To read a 2011 Boston Globe article on charity telemarketers, visit: http://www.boston.com/business/personalfinance/articles/2011/01/02/

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The Rescue Squad thanks the community for its generous support.