On Tuesday January 22, 2012, members of the Thorndale Volunteer Fire Company were presented with a very generous donation from the Downingtown VFW. The donation is to be used for fire prevention education in Caln Twp.

The donation was the result of extended collaboration between VFW Commander Miguel Hernandez and Kim Mattson, Thorndale Volunteer Fire Company's Public Education Officer. The VFW expressed a desire to partner with our fire company to promote fire prevention education to all citizens in Caln Township. Kim is our fire company's lead person responsible for fire prevention education. She had explained to Commander Hernandez and VFW Board of Directors the type of fire prevention programs she and our emergency responders provide to schools, daycare centers, and other agencies in the township. She also described how the fire company would like to expand fire prevention education to other groups in the township including senior citizens.

Accompanying Kim to the VFW Board Meeting and presentation were Fire Chief John Cordisco, Deputy Chief Dan Donnachie, Vice President Fred Town, Past President Butch Hart, and a group of our Emergency Responders.

The amount of the donation was unknown to the members of the fire company until Commander Hernandez actually handed Kim the check for $5,000.00. She was so shocked and excited by the size of the donation that when the Commander attempted to shake her hand she gave him a big hug.

The members of the Thorndale Volunteer Fire Company are profoundly appreciative of this tremendous financial donation presented to us by the VFW. We assure the members of the VFW that this money will be used for fire prevention education; and we will make our constituents aware of this partnership with the Downingtown VFW in promoting fire safety.

We also want to thank Fire Police Officer Sean Barron for taking the pictures at this event.