For the past five years, the Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Agency has conducted the private/public sponsorship program. This year is on track to be the best yet for the agency, as they have raised around $4,200 for general outreach and services to the counties.

Coordinator Bob Kempf gives the main reason why they facilitate this program. “Our main funding source is of course through taxation. But sometimes when we’re handing out the coloring books or the stickers, it’s sometimes hard to justify using tax dollars when you have response activities that need to go on.”

The program includes four different levels with monetary amounts, ranging from Bronze at up to $100, to Platinum at $500 or more. Kempf encourages donations of any size, no matter the amount. “If they want to give us $50 to help provide the water and cookies at the annual storm spotter class, that’s great! I’ll be glad to give them a plug that they help do that. We’re not out banging doors and telling somebody ‘Well we need this much or that much.’ It’s a voluntary thing.”

Kempf also takes the opportunity to serve those who have donated to the agency by creating preparedness plans for those sponsors. Raccoon Valley Radio has served as a sponsor for the agency since the program began. To hear more on this program, listen to today’s Let’s Talk Guthrie County program.