Local Volunteer Firefighters turn to Internet to Raise Funds during Pandemic

Local volunteer fire departments, with limited opportunities to fund-raise during the COVID-19 pandemic are turning to the internet to generate revenue.

They are part of an online weekly 50-50 draw that’s coordinated by the Amherst Fire Department.  The chair of the Amherst Firefighters Association’s Ways and Means Committee, Andrew Wallis says as the pandemic began, they were approached by the online platform Rafflebox to take a planned 50/50 draw to their web site.

Wallis says they started the online 50/50 draw with eight fire departments in June.  That has now grown to 227, including a number in northeastern Nova Scotia.  Wallis says it’s allowing departments to upgrade.

When buying the 50-50 ticket, residents designate what fire department they are supporting with the purchase.