Donation honors volunteer service departments in recognition of National Heroes Day
SUN PRAIRIE, Wisconsin (July 21, 2024) – The Brownsville Fire Company received a $2,500 gift from Compeer Home in recognition of its department’s selfless service to others. The gift is in honor of National Heroes Day, founded in the aftermath of the Aurora, Colorado, theater shooting on July 20, 2012, to pay tribute to everyday heroes – from first responders to civilians who jump into action without regard to their own safety. Jenifer Oechsner, one of Brownsville’s volunteer emergency medical responders, nominated the department.
“When I go on a call, I’m never alone, and when I read about how Compeer Home was recognizing volunteers this Heroes Day, I wanted to give back to everybody,” Oechsner said. “We’re very appreciative of this gift. There are so many apparatus that we need and can’t afford. We’ll get on a call and think, ‘I wish we had this to help us.’ With this extra funding, we hope we can turn some of those wishes into realities.”
Volunteer fire, rescue, and ambulance departments are the backbone to keeping rural communities safe, yet they are often operating with limited resources. Compeer Home, a division of Compeer Financial, launched the National Heroes Day Giveaway this year to champion the vital role volunteer departments play across its 144-county territory in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
“We believe strong rural communities aren’t just about where you live, they’re about the people who support and protect them,” said Chad McGlothlen, director of lending at Compeer Home. “This giveaway is a way to honor the first responders who make it possible for our clients and neighbors to live safely in the places they love.”
A winner was drawn from each state, with Southeast Livingston County Ambulance Service, Illinois, and St. Clair Fire Department, Minnesota, also receiving a $2,500 gift. There were 1,429 departments nominated.
“In rural communities, everyday heroes live alongside us – ready to answer a call for help at any hour, in any condition, sometimes in a family’s darkest times. Our volunteer first responders make rural communities a better and safer place to live. We are grateful to celebrate them, as they give of themselves in service to others. There are no bigger heroes than them,” said Karen Schieler, manager of corporate giving at Compeer Financial.
The Brownsville Fire Company, Inc., has been serving the Brownsville, Wisconsin, community since 1912. The department and its 34 first responders currently provide fire protection, fire prevention, and emergency medical services to the Village of Brownsville and the towns of Lomira, LeRoy, and Byron. Fire Chief Kelly Thomas said one of their greatest concerns is creating a pipeline of volunteers from the younger generation.
“Volunteerism is one of the toughest things right now; to get the younger population to volunteer,” he explained. “We’re retaining a lot of our seasoned volunteers, and we have some who are in their 70s. They’re still driving truck and operating machinery for us, and we cherish those people. Getting the young ones to volunteer for the department is a concern.”
Another challenge is providing the department with needed equipment and ensuring their facilities support a safe environment. The department does frequent fundraisers, and members like Oechsner actively search and apply for grants. In fact, they are in the midst of raising funds to construct a new fire station that complies with current regulations and standards.
“This gift means a lot to us. It helps me to not have to worry about where to find extra money if we need to dig a little deeper someplace. We plan to look over our budget for next year and hopefully put it toward one of the needs we identify,” Thomas said.
Wendy Kohrt, Compeer Home loan officer, was part of the che