Middlesex County representatives are seeking area businesses to get on board with a program that would benefit first responders.
The Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce (MCRCC) and the Middlesex County Board of Freeholders are looking to team up with Central Jersey businesses to offer a discount program for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel.
The program would provide a “Rewards Card” that would offer discounts and other specials to first responders as a way to thank them for their service, while acting as an incentive to new potential volunteers.
“The MCRCC will encourage its members to participate,” said Lina Llona, president of the organization. “Local fire and EMS departments will also be soliciting participation by local merchants. Participants and the discount/incentive they will offer under the program will then be listed on the MCRCC website.”
Llona added that, thanks to the Middlesex County Board of Freeholders, “2015 is truly the ‘Year of the Volunteer.’”
Freeholder H. James Polos said the program is just one element of a multi-faceted approach by the county to assist local volunteer EMS and fire departments with volunteer recruitment and retention.
The “Year of the Volunteer” designation is intended to highlight the need for the state, counties and municipalities to focus on volunteerism and to develop a long-term plan to insure the stability of volunteer forces.
The county has implemented a multifaceted approach to the issue by developing a free tuition program for volunteers at Middlesex County College, mini grants to help recruitment and retention, the adoption of a freeholder resolution calling on the state to create a special task force on the issue and a vast array of promotional efforts to make people aware of the importance of volunteering, including volunteer drives at local malls.
For more information, contact Lina Llona at [email protected] or 732-745-8090.