Volunteer firefighters from the Forreston, Italy and Milford departments gathered together Saturday morning to accept a $1,000 donation from Atmos Energy. This donation is to be divided among the three departments.

Roger Oliver and John Pearson, operation supervisors, and Kelly Owen, manager of public affairs, for Atmos Energy made the donation at the Milford Fire Department.

Upon making the presentation, Oliver told the firefighters, “We appreciate what you do. We pull up on the scene with a large fire department. They are already in place. They are drawing a check. You are not.” He continued, “We appreciate what you do.”

Owen said Josh Droll, a volunteer firefighter in Italy and an employee of Atmos Energy approached the supervisors about donating drinking water to the department.

“Instead of buying water, we decided to give them a check to get whatever they needed,” Owen explained. “It is important for us to be good partners with our volunteer fire department for safety in our communities.”

Volunteer firefighters present included Mark Jackson, chief, Andy Frank, safety officer, Milford VFD; Don Chambers, chief; Droll, Italy VFD; and Floyd and Bobby McBride, Forreston VFD.