CBluff VFD

08/07/2017

In case you missed last weeks public broadcasting about our journey. This was a great coverage performed by Estephany Escobar NC25. Thank you KXXV News Channel 25!

- CBVFD

07/27/2017

IMPORTANT!!! There will be a Community Meeting Tue, August 1st, 7 pm, at the Chalk Bluff Baptist Church. The Chalk Bluff Volunteer Fire Department will explain the situation with the pumper truck, and give members of the Community the opportunity to offer ideas.

The Go Fund Me page was set up to raise money to keep the pumper truck. If the goal is not met, or if it not met in time, the money will be used to purchase a pumper truck to serve the Community, even if it is a truck that is used, but in good shape.

Donations through the Go Fund Me page are not tax deductible, however, at the end of the year, you can request a donation receipt from CBVFD.

At present, CBVFD does not have its 501(c)3 status. Up until around 2010, small organizations did not have to make yearly filings, but there was a quiet change in the tax regulations that required even small organizations to make yearly filings. In Texas, several hundred small organizations, including volunteer fire departments, lost their 501(c)3 status, and were not made aware of it. CBVFD is working with a CPA to get the 501(c)3 status reinstated.

Donations made to CBVFD in this year (2017) will be tax deductible as long as the 501(c)3 status has been reinstated prior to January 1st, 2018.

The Chalk Bluff WSC will take donations as long as the check is made out to the fire department.

If someone just wants to make a direct donation to CBVFD, there are a couple of options.

1. Drop off your donation to the Chalk Bluff WSC.
2. Mail a donation to CBVFD, P.O. Box 691, Elm Mott, TX, 76640.
3. If you mail your donation at the Elm Mott Post Office, the EMPO will route it directly to the P.O. box.

07/21/2017

Thank you all for the support this week!

-CBVFD

07/18/2017

https://www.gofundme.com/cbvfd-help-save-our-rescue-truck

07/18/2017

https://www.gofundme.com/cbvfd-help-save-our-rescue-truck

To The Residents & Surrounding Communities of Chalk Bluff, The Chalk Bluff Volunteer Fire Department is a small volunteer fire department in an unincorporated community in McLennan County, Texas. In 2004, we bought a new pumper truck to replace the existing truck that was more than 25 years old....

07/18/2017

To The Residents & Surrounding Communities of Chalk Bluff,

The Chalk Bluff Volunteer Fire Department is a small volunteer fire department in an unincorporated community in McLennan County, Texas. In 2004, we bought a new pumper truck to replace the existing truck that was more than 25 years old. This truck is meant to better serve the community of Chalk Bluff and has been a valuable asset to neighboring communities and counties as well.

Since we are in an unincorporated area, we do not generate a tax revenue. We mainly rely on donations. In 2004, we were hosting an annual training class, which provided a steady stream of income and allowed us to make the 12,000.00 annual payment. With the down-turn of the economy in 2008, participation in the training class dwindled, and regulations changed ultimately ending the school. Unfortunately the sluggish economy affected everyday families, and even the CBFVD. Household budgets tightened, and donations began to lessen over time.

We fell behind on the truck payment and have not been able to catch up. Now we are faced with a dilemma. The holder of the note is going to take possession of the pumper truck unless we can raise the requested funds. WE NEED YOUR HELP to keep this valuable asset in the Chalk Bluff Community.

The Chalk Bluff Volunteer Fire Department is a strictly volunteer organization. There are no paid members. The small group of dedicated volunteers have jobs and families, yet they sacrifice their time and talents to help people in the community who find themselves having possibly the worst day of their lives. We put out fires to minimize damage to property. We sometimes have to use our rescue tools to remove trapped, or injured people from cars mangled from a crash. We've pulled drowning kids from pools and rivers. We've gone out at 3AM to the call of an unconscious person, ending up in the back of an ambulance assisting paramedics performing CPR while in transit to the hospital.

At all of those types of calls, our pumper truck has carried the firefighters who perform all the above tasks and the tools to safely perform those tasks. It's invaluable to each of your means of living and the security it provides for the community. Help us keep this much needed, valuable resource; For all of us. Thank you sincerely from the heart for your support.

- CBVFD