A new nonprofit was established in March to raise funds to support the Sandisfield Fire Department.

It will replace a former nonprofit, SFDI (Sandisfield Fire Department, Inc.), that for many years had a similar mission but a series of disputes with a succession of Select Boards culminated with the current board formally severing the Town's relationship with SFDI. The organization still exists, but has no connection with Sandisfield or with the Sandisfield Fire Department (SFD).

The new organization, Friends of Sandisfield Fire Department (FOSFD), will fund raise the way most nonprofits do - through individual solicitation, annual appeal mailing, special events, and grants if available. The group is actively seeking volunteers to assist with these efforts and to expand its membership.

Officers of the nonprofit include three active Sandisfield residents: Patricia Hubbard (President), Jeff Bye (Treasurer) and Liana Toscanini (Secretary). Friends of SFD filed Articles of Organization with the Commonwealth on February 3 and was granted charitable 501(c)3 nonprofit status by the IRS on March 5. Contributions received are now tax-deductible.

The Agreement of Association with the Town of Sandisfield, signed March 24, can be seen at the Town's website, sandisfieldma.gov.

Treasurer Jeff Bye said, "The creation of a new nonprofit to support the Sandisfield Fire Department was necessary to help defray the costs to the taxpayer of running an excellent emergency service operation that benefits all residents. Our website is now live and our PayPal is ready to accept donations." President Hubbard told The Times, "I think we have accomplished a great deal within a short period of time. We went from an idea to a reality in a two-month period. Now, we are ready to provide support to our town."

To volunteer, donate, or obtain more information, call Jeff Bye at 413-429-7985 or visit friendsofsfd.org.

Background of the Officers

Patricia Hubbard: Since moving to Sandisfield in 2007, Hubbard has been an Events Planner primarily for nonprofit organizations and was an Events Coordinator at the Norman Rockwell Museum. Currently on the board of Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires (VIM), she has been responsible for many of their fundraising events and serves as co-chair of their Development Committee. Prior to moving to the Berkshires, Patricia had a career in new product development for a variety of Fortune 500 companies.

Liana Toscanini: After moving to Sandisfield in 1996, Toscanini was actively involved in the restoration of the Sandisfield Arts Center, the Sandisfield Historical Society, The Sandisfield Newsletter, the Sandisfield Times, Sandisfield Cultural Council, Sandisfield's 250th Anniversary, and Friends of Yanner Park. She has served on many nonprofit boards including Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and the MA Nonprofit Network. She founded the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires in 2016.