All Saints parishioner donates firetruck to Dominican Republic

What began as a casual discussion between a parishioner of All Saints Episcopal Church on Hilton Head Island and the Rev. Julio C. Holguin, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Dominican Republic, has resulted in plans for the donation of an emergency response vehicle to the developing nation.

The conversation took place during Bishop Holguin's visit to the church in December. It became known that the bishop is an honorary member of one town's fledgling fire department, which does not have a firetruck available for emergency response.

The anonymous parishioner owns a Ford F-700 fire/rescue truck, which he had been using as part of his pine plantation operation in Bailey's Harbor, Wis. In talking to Holguin, he realized that he could make a significant contribution to the island. He then began to explore the possibility of providing routine maintenance on the vehicle and shipping it to the Dominican Republic.

The truck has 12,500 miles on its odometer. Its tank carries 750 gallons of water and can be replenished from any nearby pond or other water source. It is also equipped with flood lights, making it ideal for rescue work. It still needs to be outfitted with new hoses, nozzles, fittings and a new ladder, and then shipped overseas. The remaining expenses are estimated to cost about $6,000. An anonymous donor has offered to cover half of this amount, providing that the balance is collected by March 15.

As a Lenten observance project, All Saints Episcopal Church is collecting donations from parishioners and friends in the community to help defray these expenses. Donations may be mailed to All Saints at 3001 Meeting St., Hilton Head Island, SC 29926.

Details: 843-645-4321