BENEVOLENT FUND
benevolence – noun
- the quality of being well meaning: kindness: serving a charitable rather than a profit-making purpose
The IAFF Local 975 Benevolent Fund began in 1953 with the death of Pat Loney. At the time the average AFD salary was $3,000 per year. Firefighters collected $5 per person and raised $250 for his family.
The Benevolent Fund has stayed true to this kind act and has grown the Fund to just over 1,600 members. Members who join the Fund pay $10 per member that passes away for their entire career and into retirement.
The Benevolent Fund truly lives up to its name as we operate largely with a zero balance, meaning that every dollar that is collected goes out to the members beneficiaries with no strings attached.
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Benevolent Fund Members that have passed away in 2025:
- Bob Wygant – September 21, 2025
- Russ Holmstrom – September 10, 2025
- Pat Sconci – August 10, 2025
- David Dedear – June 17, 2025
- Robert Lucio – May 21, 2025
- Tony Hoelscher – March 9, 2025
- John Teasdale – January 14, 2025
- Bryan Wagers – January 5, 2025
Benevolent Fund Members that have passed away in 2024:
- Vergil Maples – December 26, 2024
- Elmer “Buddy” Adamson – December 12, 2024
- Johnny Jenkins – October 23, 2024
- Darrell “Travis” Head – July 9, 2024
- Robert Labenski – June 17, 2024
- James Felter – May 14, 2024
- John Konarsky – May 9, 2024
- Michael Crabill – March 1, 2024
- Charles Lunday – February 27, 2024
- Richard Bowen – January 6, 2024
Benevolent Fund Members that have passed away in 2023:
- Gary Walker – November 3, 2023
- Earl Hestilow – August 2023
- Douglas McCarty – August 2, 2023
- Tommy Rutledge – July 20, 2023
- Freddie Smith – July 15, 2023
- Charles Erlandson – June 2023
- William Durfor – April 27, 2023
- Frederic Kelly – March 10, 2023