Story County Responders Care is selling its pink fire truck, which was once used as the centerpiece of a local effort to support those suffering from cancer.
Wes Hubbard, an Ames firefighter and Nevada resident who was instrumental in the organization of Story County Responders Care, said volunteers for the group have dwindled, and he can't support a community-driven message alone for home visits and community appearances. In addition, there aren't enough funds coming in to help insure and fuel the vehicle.
Hubbard and two local women first formed a committee in April of 2014 to start a Story County-wide effort, modeled after "Ames Firefighters Care Enough to Wear Pink."
They'd been able to purchase the 1963 Ford fire truck for just $1 from the Huxley Firefighters.
By June of 2014, the group reported they had a dedicated volunteer group to help give the truck some mechanical repairs and a new coat of pink paint. They'd also come up with the group's official name, Story County Responders Care, and were looking forward to their first big celebration on June 21 and another appearance at Crossroads Tavern in Kelley on July 12.
From there the truck became a regular at many community celebrations, including Nevada's Lincoln Highway Days parades, a fall Walk for Cancer and the Chamber's annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat event.
Hubbard said people were always invited to share their names or the names of loved ones who were battling or had battled cancer.
"The pink fire truck ... has over 500 estimated signatures and messages of support," he said.
"The pink fire truck and SCRC have made many home visits of support for women battling cancer."
With no donated space to store the fire truck, it is imperative for Hubbard to find a new owner for the truck.
"We will continue to raise funds through donations by painting pink ribbons on yards to show support for women with any form of cancer... (but) with the loss of storage and lack of volunteers, it is cost-prohibitive to spend money to store the truck, when that money needs to be going toward women in need."
Any funds made from the sale of the truck will go into the Story County Responders Care (a 501c3 organization) account and continue to help support those struggling with cancer. Hubbard said the truck is listed for $2,000 and has less than 10,000 original miles.
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