Williamsburg volunteer firefighters have been door-knocking throughout the city since Monday to raise awareness and funds to benefit the department.
This is the organization’s annual fundraiser and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the department for training, equipment and other needs.
“We don’t ask for money at the door,” said Troy Lapetina, president of the Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Department. “If somebody asks for money at the door, that’s not us.”
Lapetina said firefighters will visit homes between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m Monday through Friday. On the weekends, noon to 5 p.m.
Each volunteer firefighter will arrive in uniform, have a name tag and should have a picture identification card on their person.
Those who answer the door get a hand-delivered letter asking patrons to donate online or mail a check to their office headquarters, 440 North Boundary St.
“Every little bit helps,” Lapetina said.
So why visit homes? Laptina wants to show the community who is actually serving them by putting names to faces. He also encourages residents to ask the firefighters questions they might have from smoke detector maintenance to general duties and responsibilities as a firefighter.
“We respect communities who don’t allow door-to-door solicitations,” Lapetina said, adding some apartment complexes may receive the letters and distribute them to residents themselves.
For those who haven’t gotten a visit, the firefighters will visit most homes until April 10.
