By Carole Deck
The Intelligencer Journal/New Era
LANCASTER, Pa. — Most people save money for a special reason. A family vacation, college education, new house or retirement are good examples.
Geoff Class made a decision to save for a cause close to his heart — the volunteer fire company.
For over two decades, the owner of New Holland Auto Group saved funds from his dealership to give to the Liberty Fire Company to help purchase a new air truck.
“The fire company plays an important role in the community, and I wanted to do something to show my appreciation,” Class said.
His gratitude resulted in a gift to the fire company of nearly $40,000 toward the purchase of a 2009 Ford F750 Air Truck.
Class explained that his decision to earmark funds for the truck came about in 1986 when the local fire company purchased a 1986 Ford E-350 Air Truck from his dealership.
“I knew that the truck would need to be replaced after 20 years and decided to earmark a little money each year to donate towards it,” he said.
Well-known for his charitable contributions to the community, Class has first-hand experience with the dedication of firefighters. Many family dinners, he said, have been interrupted by fire calls for his wife Pat’s family members (dad, brothers, cousins), who are involved with the Doylestown fire company.
Jeff Martin, the deputy fire chief who was the chairman of the air-truck fundraising committee, said the contribution from Class was beyond the fire company’s expectations.
He said that thanks to the gift from Class, the company was able to purchase a larger truck, which cost $325,000, to meet the needs of the next 25 years.
According to Martin, the air truck is primarily used to fill air cylinders that firefighters use in fighting fires and for training.
“It’s not every day someone walks into the fire company with a five-figure check ... and we really appreciate the generous contribution from Geoff on behalf of the New Holland Auto Group,” Martin said.
Copyright 2010 Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.