South Piedmont Community College has received more than $28,000 from the former Providence Volunteer Fire Department to support its firefighting program.
Providence Volunteer Fire Department representatives Scott Robinson and Jack Parks presented a check for $28,322.30 to South Piedmont Interim President Michelle Brock and other College representatives late last month.
“We are deeply appreciative of this generous donation from the Providence Volunteer Fire Department,” Brock said.
“This gift will directly support the advancement of our firefighter training programs, empowering our students to serve and protect our community in its most critical moments. Thanks to this contribution, we are better equipped to shape the next generation of heroes who will make a real difference in saving lives.”
The Providence Volunteer Fire Department served Union and Mecklenburg counties for over 60 years before ceasing operations in 2015. The funds donated to South Piedmont were part of a settlement between the Providence VFD and the Town of Weddington.
“The Board of the Providence Volunteer Fire Department has used the entire settlement to support 22 volunteer fire departments and three educational institutions that provide firefighter training and certification in Union, Stanly, and Anson counties,” said Robinson.
“We’ve also procured a heavy-lift drone and Starlink systems to assist in the ongoing recovery efforts in western North Carolina—and, over time, across the entire state.
“These grants are intended to honor the men and women of the Providence VFD who provided outstanding fire suppression and emergency response services for six decades,” he continued.
“They also ensure the legacy of Providence VFD lives on by supporting the training of new first responders and enabling local VFDs to upgrade their equipment and facilities to better serve their communities.”
South Piedmont will use the donation to purchase critical firefighting training equipment, including adult- and child-sized manikins, training lights, hoses, and doors.
About the South Piedmont Foundation:
The South Piedmont Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that receives monetary and equipment donations to support the mission of South Piedmont and the needs of its students. To learn how to give to the South Piedmont Foundation, contact Ashley Furr, director of community outreach and engagement, at afurr@spcc.edu. For more information, visit www.spcc.edu/support-spcc. To learn more about South Piedmont, visit www.spcc.edu.