MONROE - Even in these tough economic times, area residents and organizations continue to generously donate to the Monroe Emergency Response Inter-agency Training (MERIT) Center being developed in Monroe's North Business and Industrial Park.
The project to provide facilities and training for emergency services and private industry in south central Wisconsin is being entirely driven by donations. The MERIT fund now totals $131,974.
"We didn't realize we were this far ahead with donations," Monroe Fire Chief Daryl Rausch said. "When we started, we thought next year we'd raise enough money for a tower, and here it is, October.
"Now we start talking to corporations."
With corporate donations, Rausch expects the remaining $30,000 to come together quickly and the fund to top out by the first of the year.
Funds so far have come from individuals and private businesses, and the total does not include the value of labor, equipment use, promotions and "in kind" contributions.
"The money is coming in from so many different areas, because the community supports it so well," Rausch said.
Impressed with the continuing support, Rausch can rattle off names and donations from memory: Firefighters who have given as much as $500 each; police support organizations; businesses donating the use of heavy equipment, labor and promotional items; schools providing classroom space for training.
First Community Credit Union's program on approved mortgagees brought in another $200 this week. The Green County Fire Chiefs Association is donating for a multi-purpose building to store the Life Safety House.
The state Department of Natural Resources donated $6,000 toward the center. A Farm Technology grant goes toward a grain bin and auger, which Rausch said will be used for the UW Extension farm safety and tractor safety programs.
In September, the family of firefighter David Rufer made a significant donation from his memorial fund to assist with construction of a firefighter rest and rehabilitation shelter with continued development of The MERIT Center.
A 20-year member of the Monroe Fire Department, Rufer provided training to many other departments, as well as Monroe's, and was recognized as an expert in the area of vehicle extrication. He died while on duty during a training exercise June 12, 2007.
"It was a fitting tribute to David since he was such a strong advocate of training for firefighters. It recognizes his passion and commitment to the Monroe Fire Department and the fire service," Rausch said.
But Rausch also is impressed with the many small donations that come in. He recalled a woman making a special trip to his office to donate $25.
"She told me she was 85," Rausch said, with a smile.
The project to provide facilities and training for emergency services and private industry in south central Wisconsin is being entirely driven by donations. The MERIT fund now totals $131,974.
"We didn't realize we were this far ahead with donations," Monroe Fire Chief Daryl Rausch said. "When we started, we thought next year we'd raise enough money for a tower, and here it is, October.
"Now we start talking to corporations."
With corporate donations, Rausch expects the remaining $30,000 to come together quickly and the fund to top out by the first of the year.
Funds so far have come from individuals and private businesses, and the total does not include the value of labor, equipment use, promotions and "in kind" contributions.
"The money is coming in from so many different areas, because the community supports it so well," Rausch said.
Impressed with the continuing support, Rausch can rattle off names and donations from memory: Firefighters who have given as much as $500 each; police support organizations; businesses donating the use of heavy equipment, labor and promotional items; schools providing classroom space for training.
First Community Credit Union's program on approved mortgagees brought in another $200 this week. The Green County Fire Chiefs Association is donating for a multi-purpose building to store the Life Safety House.
The state Department of Natural Resources donated $6,000 toward the center. A Farm Technology grant goes toward a grain bin and auger, which Rausch said will be used for the UW Extension farm safety and tractor safety programs.
In September, the family of firefighter David Rufer made a significant donation from his memorial fund to assist with construction of a firefighter rest and rehabilitation shelter with continued development of The MERIT Center.
A 20-year member of the Monroe Fire Department, Rufer provided training to many other departments, as well as Monroe's, and was recognized as an expert in the area of vehicle extrication. He died while on duty during a training exercise June 12, 2007.
"It was a fitting tribute to David since he was such a strong advocate of training for firefighters. It recognizes his passion and commitment to the Monroe Fire Department and the fire service," Rausch said.
But Rausch also is impressed with the many small donations that come in. He recalled a woman making a special trip to his office to donate $25.
"She told me she was 85," Rausch said, with a smile.