A fundraising campaign to benefit the Marion Fire Department has exceeded expectations, according to organizers.
Spearheaded by local resident Jodi Castillo, the plan to raise money to buy particulate-blocking protective hoods for City of Marion firefighters easily eclipsed its original goal of $9,500. According to Capt. Wade Ralph of the Marion Fire Department, fundraising for the local Ohio Hoods Initiative project has topped the $15,000 mark.
"It's beyond belief how successful this has been," Ralph said. "But, that doesn't surprise me. Marion has always been supportive of the fire department, but this is a whole other level. It's just phenomenal."
Castillo said she is proud of how the community responded to the call for support.
"I was completely overwhelmed by how quick and how smoothly this whole fundraiser went," she said. "The whole community jumped on the bandwagon and it really just came together quicker than I anticipated or hoped."