"Salute to Local Heroes'

Fulton Sears Hometown to raise money for Central Callaway Fire Protection District

This holiday season, Sears Hometown Store of Fulton will be doing a little bit of giving.

Local retail owner Rick Shiverdecker's store is partnering with the National Volunteer Fire Council in the national"Salute to Local Heroes" fundraising campaign to raise money for the Central Callaway Fire Protection District.

According to a Sears press release, now through Dec. 31 shoppers can donate to the cause, with all money going directly to the local fire department. Two dollars from each Craftsman Bottle Cap Wrench - a $10 purchase - also will be donated.

"Increaseing budget cuts in fire departments nationwide are making it extremely difficult for firefighters to properly do their job, especially since seven in 10 firefighters are volunteers," Heather Schafer, executive director of the National Volunteer Fire Council, said in the release. "Campaigns like "Salute to Local Heroes' are critical for volunteer firehouses to have the necessary resources to perform their jobs safely and effectively while protecting their local communities."

Shiverdecker said Tuesday he is excited to be able to make a positive local impact through a corporate campaign.

"This is the first year we've doing this particular thing, and since it was (benefitting) something local, we thought it was a good idea," Shiverdecker said. "I thought it was a nice thing we can do to give back to the community."

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.