by Mollie Rushmeyer
news@thenewsleaders.com
While many of her peers were basking in the freedom of summer break and taking time off from deadlines, Madelyn Adamski, a 16-year-old from Sauk Rapids, spent her summer vacation raising money for the Sauk Rapids Fire Department to purchase a new emergency rescue boat by Sept. 10.
So far, Adamski has raised an impressive $66,756 of the $75,000 needed for the fan-propelled boat that will make water rescues more efficient and – more importantly – safer for the rescuer and victim in emergency situations.
“It’s important for people to know,” Adamski said, “the boat is not a trophy piece for the fire department. It’s going to help the city and surrounding area.”
Adamski first thought of the idea for a new rescue boat while assisting her dad, Jason Adamski, a 17-year veteran on the volunteer firefighters’ team in Sauk Rapids, along with other firefighters at the Sauk Rapids Fire Department food stand at last year’s Benton County Fair. She heard the firefighters talk about a water rescue carried out with their current boats, and how difficult and dangerous the situation became because of the limited maneuverability. That’s when she decided to take the matter into her own hands and begin a year-long process to raise the money, saying she wanted to make sure they got this boat to benefit everyone in the region.
Her father was a little surprised by her decision, saying it was a lot of money for the type of boat they required. But soon he saw her commitment and helped her organize the fundraiser. She worked with her dad to first sort out all the monetary aspects with a bank, then formed a committee of five firefighters to begin talking with businesses and people all around the Sauk Rapids/St. Cloud area for donations. Now nearing the end of their goal, they are also looking into possible discounts with the manufacturer.
“I’m feeling good about the goal,” Adamski said, referring to the Sept. 10 deadline she forecasted for the fundraiser. “I think we’re going to make it.”
The boat itself, Adamski would like people to know, will not replace the two boats that are available at the station now, but rather would be an additional tool for the Sauk Rapids and surrounding fire and rescue departments to use as necessary. The boat will be a part of the mutual-aid agreement with other cities and will be housed at the Sauk Rapids Fire Department. Then when an emergency is called in that warrants the use of the fan-propelled boat that can scoot across land and water, the boat will be sent wherever it’s needed along with the staff specially trained to use it.
“It has been very rewarding,” Adamski said about the whole experience. “It’s just so exciting to help out.”
She also added for those still deciding whether to donate or not: “No donation is too small. Really anything helps.”
People can continue giving to the fundraiser up to and beyond the deadline of Sept. 10 by several ways.
• By going to this website: www.youcaring.com/sauk-rapids-fire-department-community-425454
• By calling the Sauk Rapids Fire Department and asking for Jason Adamski: 320-255-9058.
• Or by writing a check payable to the City of Sauk Rapids (in the memo please write “boat fundraiser”) and mail it to: Sauk Rapids Fire Department, 408 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids, Minn. 56379.
Madelyn Adamski, 16, of Sauk Rapids, stands next to a fire engine at the Sauk Rapids Fire Department where she has spearheaded a fundraiser throughout the past year to purchase a fan-propelled rescue boat for the department.
