VERGENNES — As Vergennes Area Rescue Squad officials approach the funding phase for the nonprofit’s planned major expansion of its Panton Road headquarters, they are seeking more help from the community in raising the roughly $1 million needed.
VARS President Stephen Fleming said this week an initial meeting of the squad’s building renovations committee drew only four local residents even though VARS leaders sent out 28 letters to key community members they thought could help spearhead fund-raising efforts.
Fleming hopes more will attend a meeting next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at VARS headquarters to learn more and maybe even volunteer to work on the financial end of the project, which will eventually expand the facility’s ambulance bays, training and classroom space, office room, and living quarters. The cost is estimated at between $850,000 and $1.25 million.
Fleming said he does not believe VARS volunteers can effectively run both the squad and a fund-raising campaign, which he is confident can be successful if the four who initially expressed interest get more support.
“What I want is people in the community to step up and take charge of the commitment to raise the $1 million,” Fleming said. “We need a lot of help.”