(Buena Vista, GA) – Buena Vista Fire & Rescue was recently awarded a grant from the Sumter EMC Foundation. Funds from this grant will help replace roll-up garage doors at the fire station. New doors will ensure quicker response time to critical emergencies in Marion and surrounding counties.

A grant was also awarded to the Doyle Volunteer Fire Department to furnish new LED lights for the fire engine, ensuring all safety protocols are met while travelling and aiding in emergency services.

“Through these grants from our Foundation, Sumter EMC is honored to help provide the fire & rescue teams with needed improvements, so they can safely and effectively respond when emergencies arise,” said Andrea Walker, Chairman of the Sumter EMC Foundation.

The Sumter EMC Foundation is dedicated to positively impacting the communities in rural southwest Georgia. By providing grants and support to local organizations, the Foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for residents and contribute to the community's overall well-being. The Sumter EMC Foundation was founded in 2003 and is funded by Cooperative members participating in Sumter EMC's Operation Round Up®. Every month, Sumter EMC rounds up the electric bill of participating members to the following whole dollar amount and deposits the difference into an interest-bearing account. The Sumter EMC Foundation's board of trustees administers the funds through grants awarded to local schools and civic and charitable organizations as allowed by the Bylaws. These grants give one hundred percent of the money collected to the community. The Foundation has awarded over $1,400,000 to community organizations in Sumter EMC's service territory.