Donnie Ford and Charlie Doegen

DEALE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPART
AND RESCUE SQUAD, INC.
P.O. BOX 114    6007 DRUM POINT ROAD
DEALE, MARYLAND 20751

 May 23, 2011

 Dear Hall of Fame Committee Members:

The Deale Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad would like to nominate Donald “Donnie” Ford  to the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association Hall of Fame. Donnie joined the Deale Volunteer Fire Department in 1972 and is an active Life Member. He has thirty nine years of service to Deale and the surrounding communities. In his early membership years Donnie was an active riding member and responded to many fire calls. He now serves the Department as an active administrative member.

 Since joining the Deale Volunteer Fire Department, Donnie served as a member of the Board of Directors. He was a member of the Board for several five year terms. In his position as a member of the Board of Directors Donnie provided guidance, direction and participated in decisions on administrative and personnel matters for the Department.  His input and expertise were invaluable to the Board and the Department. He is also a member of the Fundraising Committee and is co chair of the Event Food Committee. Fundraising activities are an on going effort at Deale. As of member of the Fundraising Committee, Donnie has given his time and support for all of our fund-raising events, such as the annual week long carnival, July 4^th at Herrington Harbour and the 10 day haunted house. He works in many capacities at these fundraisers. For example he can be found at the grill cooking during the carnival and at our July 4^th event. Working in the kitchen selling food at the haunted house fundraiser, and working behind the scene at setting up tables and cleaning the hall for many events.  As co chair of the Food Event committee, Donnie is responsible for ordering and procuring all the food items needed for our fund raisers. This involves making phone calls to place orders and coordinating the trips to Sam’s or Restaurant Depot to purchase all the items necessary for the event and unloading and securing the items at the station. Donnie is always willing to serve in any capacity that he is needed.  He is one of our “go to” members that you can always depend upon to do a great job. Over the years, he has received many Department awards for his service hours involving fundraising activities.

Donnie served as an alternate delegate to the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association during his terms as a member of the Board of Directors. Donnie was a member of the AACVFA Convention Committee when Deale hosted the convention. He served as one of the staff members at the convention events. 

Donnie served as one of Deale’s delegates to the Maryland State Volunteer Firemen’s Association annual convention in his early membership years.

Donnie is a true leader at the Deale Volunteer Fire Department and is respected by the entire administration and membership. His continuing serve to the Deale Volunteer Fire Department has helped to ensure we continue as an active volunteer fire department and a vital part of the community we serve.

I am requesting your consideration for Donald “Donnie” Ford for recognition as an inductee into the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association Hall of Fame.  

Sincerely,
Gayle Moreland, President