The city of Blackshear recently received a $25,000 donation from WoodmenLife Chapter 477. The donation was made to support public safety operations in the city.
The donation will be split between the Blackshear Fire and Police Departments to purchase needed equipment. The police department funds will be put toward purchasing bullet-resistant vests and vest carriers to enhance officer safety. The fire department funds will be used to purchase firefighter turnout gear, an electric exhaust fan and firefighting nozzles to improve operational readiness and firefighter protection.
WoodmenLife is a member owned, fraternal benefits life insurance company. Instead of paying dividends to shareholders as many other insurance companies do, they redistribute funds back into the community through charitable donations.
The funds donated, including similar donations to the Pierce County Fire Department and Office of the Sheriff, came from the sale of a chapter hall formerly located on Golf Course Road. Woodmen-Life still operates an office on Elizabeth Street in Waycross and cites the recent donation as evidence they are still involved in the Pierce community.
“We believe in supporting out local community and especially supporting first responders,” said WoodmenLife’s recruiting sales manager for the area Andrea Osburn.
The donation requires the city council to amend Blackshear’s capital improvement budget, increasing both revenues and public safety capital expenditures by $25,000 to properly account for the receipt and use of the donated funds. There is no impact on existing fund balance.
“Basically, it’s add 25, spend 25,” said Mayor Keith Brooks, who expressed gratitude on behalf of the council for Woodmen Life Chapter 477’s donation.
