North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will distribute grant checks totaling $30,000 to six volunteer fire departments when he travels to Scotland, Richmond and Montgomery counties on Tuesday, Dec. 28.
The grants are the result of a $500,000 contribution made by Blue Cross Blue Shield NC to help firefighters in North Carolina. Half of the contribution will be distributed in $5,000 grants to the 50 North Carolina volunteer fire departments that received the least amount of funding from local governments. The remaining $250,000 will go toward mental health education and treatment programs for North Carolina firefighters.
“It is an honor for me to personally be able to present these $5,000 grant checks, courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield NC,” Commissioner Causey, who is also the State Fire Marshal, said. “This money will help these needy fire departments to better protect their community. The coronavirus pandemic has presented an added challenge to their fundraising efforts.”
Here is Commissioner Causey’s public schedule for Tuesday, Dec. 28:
9 a.m. – Scotland County Emergency Management Center 1403 West Blvd., Laurinburg, N.C. 28352 (Gibson/Southwest, Stewartville and Springhill-Friendship fire departments will receive grants.) 10:15 a.m. – Derby Volunteer Fire Department 2179 Derby Road, Ellerbe, N.C. 28338 (Derby Volunteer Fire Department will receive a grant.) 11:15 a.m. – Pekin Volunteer Fire Department 5321 Pekin Road, Mount Gilead, N.C. 27306 (Pekin and Uwharrie fire departments will receive grants.)