The Loggia Giosue Carducci Lodge No. 146 Sons and Daughters of Italy this week gathered local firefighters from “this end of the county” to the second floor of the lodge to present them with checks. Each of 15 fire companies received a $1,000 check from the Sons, according to Tom Walker. Walker said the lodge has donated to fire companies before, but this is the first year the Sons presented money to all of the departments at one time.

This isn’t the first time the Sons has made sizeable donations. As a matter of fact, the lodge has donated some $70,000 to local charities and organizations in recent months.