Anonymous donation sparks chain of giving to Westerlo Fire Company

WESTERLO, N.Y. (NEWS10) -On August 14, members of the Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company saw a vehicle pull up and leave something at the door. They never expected it to be a donation: $3.85.

Inside the bag of change is a note that says, "Donation from a child from Westerlo." This random act of kindness made the fire company's day. "Absolutely touched and the first thing I thought of is when I was a kid, how much I had to save up for $3.85. For us these days, as adults, that's a cup of coffee at Dunkin," said Kelley Keefe, Past President and Current Member.

Keefe felt inspired to donate the same amount herself and then made a post online to thank the anonymous donor. She added her Venmo account to encourage others to do the same.

"I posted on Facebook and it took off from there and now we have over $700."

All that money is going towards an enormous goal of building a brand new firehouse that could cost upwards of a million dollars. The current building is from 1938 and the current president says an update is long overdue.

"As you can see, the fire truck here in the background just barely misses the doors," described Adam Alvarez. "We had to have it adjusted to fit because the modern fire equipment is much more technical, much larger. We're trying to upgrade our equipment so we can service not only the Town of Westerlo but the surrounding communities which need mutual aid from time to time."

The Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company hopes whoever left the bag of change on its door comes forward so they can say thanks and make the child a firefighter for a day. Meanwhile, the fundraising efforts will continue at the Town's fall festival. It's taking place on the weekend of September 21. The fire company will be selling food at the event.