Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - You want to support local organizations, but aren’t sure whether one fundraising effort is legitimate.
You know to be wary of causes soliciting cash, so when Deborah in Liverpool received a letter in the mail from the Onondaga County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, she sent it to NewsChannel 9 to learn whether or not it’s the Real Deal.
The organization says that, yes, the fundraising effort is legitimate.
The organization opted to send mail requests for money rather than hire telemarketers to call people at home.
That way, 100 percent of the donations can be funneled into the association, which they say needs all the money it can get.
“We don't receive any monies from the county; we don't receive any monies from the local towns and governments. We're based on fundraising. That's how we can operate,” said the association’s president, Manny Falcone.
The Onondaga County Volunteer Firemen’s Association lobbies on behalf of local departments in Albany and conducts fire prevention education programs through school visits and conventions.
If you want to know The Real Deal about something, call the Your Stories team at (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.
