Letts, Iowa Saves 22 Years for New Fire Truck, Iowa Made
Small Town Big on Common Sense
The Letts Voluntary Fire Department is known for their fundraisers. Twice a year they put on fish and chicken dinners. They also receive tax money from Letts, Cedar and 76 townships. Ask any of the voluntary firemen how they managed to save $212,000 for a new fire truck and they all point to the board and other firemen. They had a plan, they were frugal and they achieved their goal of a new fire truck. 22 years for something that they really wanted. How many towns can say they are doing this?
To know the Letts residents and rural community is to understand how a feat like this can be accomplished. They are hard working people that don't ask for much. If they want or need something, they figure out a way to get it. They work for it and they save. The money that was raised with the fund raisers and taxes were rolled over in CDs. The Letts Voluntary Fire Department now owns this new firetruck outright. They don't owe anything on it.
The Letts Fire Department also bought American. They bought their new fire truck from Toyne Inc. of Breda, Iowa. Toyne has been building fire equipment since 1942. They are a small, family owned company. A local man, Dick Clevenger of Letts, created and donated the custom lettering and pinstriping the truck adorns. Working together, keeping it local, a lot of communities may be wise to follow the plan the little town of Letts, Iowa used.
Congratulations to Letts and their Letts Fire Department. It took a lot of time, work and patience and you have shown that something worth wanting is something worth waiting for. Enjoy your new fire truck!
Interesting facts:
No wages are paid at the Letts Fire Department. ALL firefighters are volunteers.
Letts has a population that fluctuates around 400.
Toyne is customer oriented not strictly number oriented.
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Published by Sherry Tomfeld
Gardening and food preservation are her passion, she has been doing both for 30 years.Working thousands of head of hogs, raising cattle, goats and chickens to being lead cook in a 90 resident nursing home. S... View profile
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15 Comments
Post a CommentTrue Grit. John Wayne lives!
Like Walton said, good for them!!!
What a proud day they worked hard for.
;-);-)
I am so glad that this small area was able to save the money to get that needed fire truck the town and firemen/firewomen all deserve it.
It is so nice to hear about a volunteer fire department, we only have the official one here in Montreal
Excellent story. Wow, who knew one could save for a purchase instead of going into debt. What a novel idea!
Yeah, small towns have something about them that makes them join together. Yes, I love George's comment, lets replace Congress with these people. They can get r' done!
I like George's comment! Inspiring story of perseverance, frugality and volunteerism!
Nise story.