24 April, 1991

Solicitations don’t benefit local squads

Area residents are being duped in bogus fund-raiser solicitations for the Princeton First Aid Squad and the Princeton Fire Department, squad representatives said.

“You have been selected … ” , “We are collecting for —these and similar come-ons are being used in verbal and written requests for donated dollars that on the surface seem to be for local emergency services organizations when, if fact, they are not, according to a press release issued by the first aid squad.

First Aid officials said that in recent months, people presenting themselves as legitimate fund-raisers for the Princeton First Aid Squad and the Princeton Fire Department have been soliciting local residents and businesses. Last year similar attempts were made for the reported purpose of printing booklets for the Police Department to distribute to local schools.

“These efforts take money out of your pocket and away from our local emergency services,” said Princeton First Aid Squad Capt. Ed Obert.

According to first aid and tire department officials, these types of misrepresentations occur on a regular basis.

Gimmicks include ad books for emergency services that supposedly provide backup services to organizations in Princeton, the Princeton Area Heart Attack Squad, booklets to be distributed in schools or special offers for key rings or pens whose sale will benefit local groups.

The Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad does all of its own fund raising, officials emphasized. Every year two fundraising mailings are sent out; one in the fall and one around the Christmas-New Year’s holiday season. All donations are sent directly to the First Aid Squad and their solicitations are well marked with the squad’s name and financial statement.

The Princeton Fire Department does not solicit money from the community directly, volunteer members said. Instead, it accepts voluntary contributions to hither the Princeton Fire Department Equipment Fund or the Princeton Fire Department Inner Company Fund.

The fire department receives funding from the municipalities for its operating funds, representatives said. The two local police departments are also supported by tax dollars. Any questions on voluntary contributions should be directed to the chief of police.

Most of the bogus fund-raising attempts use up to 99 percent of the monies raised for fund raising or public educations costs, said local officials. They said that for most, public education costs are the costs to send solicitation letters.

First aid Capt. Obert cautioned local residents to read all solicitations carefully. Questions should be directed to the First Aid Squad directly, he said.