We need 10,000 signatures for Oregon Volunteer Firefighters!

For nearly 14 years, former Democratic Oregon State Representative Deborah Boone, from Clatsop County, unsuccessfully tried to get a law passed allowing the Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association to have access to a steady stream of donated funds via the Oregon Tax Deduction Charitable Check Off.  Finally, in 2017, Rep. Boone got the bill passed. It shouldn't have taken that long, while other causes were pushed to the head of the line.

What's a Tax Deduction Charitable Check Off?

Every year when you file your Oregon Tax Return, you're invited to make a contribution to one of 29 organizations.  These are organizations have been prioritized by lawmakers.  

It should not have taken 14 years for the Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association, an organization charged with protecting public safety, to get the opportunity to raise fund.  

Sadly the work isn't over.  Three years later, the Charitable Tax Check off for Volunteer Firefighters still isn't on our tax returns.  Why?  Because the law required the Association to gather 10,000 signatures of Oregon registered voters.

For perspective, paid signature gathering firms charge as much as $6.00 per signature to do this work.  With no resources, OVFA has not been able to leverage this important fundraising tool.

With the fires raging across the state, we have all seen firsthand how important it is to fund public safety, law enforcement, first responders, and these volunteer firefighters.  OVFA volunteers have likely saved thousands of lives and hundreds of millions in homes and businesses.

It's upsetting that the Oregon Legislature  wouldn't waive the signature gathering requirement for this important part of our public safety infrastructure.  With no disrespect to other groups approved to use the Check Off program, comparatively, OVFA doesn't have multi-million dollar backing, and unlike some, they are not networked as political organization.  

We owe these men and women a debt of gratitude.  It starts today!

Using the link above or below, please download the petition and instructions, printing it front to back on both sides.  Read and follow the instructions closely.  Get as many signatures as you possible can, and then mail the petitions back to Timber Unity Association.

Together, we can get these 10,000 signatures, and we can do it quickly!

OVFA missed the deadline to be included on the 2020 tax return, but if we get these quickly, we will challenge Governor Kate Brown to require the Department of Revenue to do get OVFA on the 2020 tax return and not make them wait one more year.  They shouldn't have had to beg and wait nearly 20 years for this important funding opportunity - let's not make them wait one more day!

Thank you!

The Timber Unity Association Board

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