Douglas, AZ- A national vending company is offering a novel fund-raising program to support local fire departments, including those in Douglas and surrounding communities.

"It's a win-win solution for the fire departments, local businesses and our company," says Anthony Babbitt, Vice-President of Levi Vending, which places beverage and snack machines at businesses across the United States and Canada.

"We were looking for a way to help our first responders, the fire fighters in professional and volunteer departments around the country who need to raise money for equipment their city or town cannot provide, or to supplement their funds for fire fighters who are injured or killed in the line of duty," according to Babbitt. "I know many small businesses would like to support their local fire departments as well, but find their charitabler giving budgets stretched to the limit."

The Levi Vending Charity Program works like this:

The local charity-in this case a Douglas or surrounding area fire station-recruits businesses to sponsor a beverage machine, snack machine or "honor box" of snacks at their place of business. Ideally, the machines should sit in high traffic areas where customers and employees can make purchases of soda, juice, water or snacks.

The local business provides an area approximately 3 feet by 3 feet. After that there is no more work for the business sponsor or the fire fighters. Levi Vending cleans and fills the machines on a regular basis and splits the profits 50-50 with the sponsoring fire station.

"Usually a soda machine will generate $50-$100 per month for the fire station, and a snack machine $25-$50 per month. Even a very small business can earn $10-$25 per month for their local fire house with an "honor box" of snacks," points out Babbitt. A local fire station can easily earn $1200 per year or more for each location they recruit.

Once the business agrees to sponsor a machine, neither the fire department nor the business sponsor has to do any more work. "We send a monthly check for half the machine's profits and a detailed report of proceeds for each location, so the fire fighters can acknowledge the support of those businesses and let them know how the funds are being used."

This type of "cause-related" marketing has become an important source of funding for non-profits in recent years. "Most people would like to be generous," says Babbitt, "but personal and business budgets are often stretched thin." However, a large portion of the population buys a bottle of soda, a candy bar or bag of chips during the day.

The win-win formula makes good business sense to Babbitt and company president, Kent Jacobsen. "The fire stations are winners because they always need funds for new equipment or to support the families of injured or fallen heroes."

"Many fire fighters can't get life insurance because of the dangers of their jobs. They rely on the hopes their fellow fire fighters will raise money to support their families if they don't survive a fire or other disaster. This is even more critical today when they are on the front lines of homeland security," says Babbitt.

Businesses are winners because they can help provide financial support to the local fire department by donating space rather than money. Most businesses can afford nine square feet of pace somewhere in their building. The can also advertise their part in raising money for their local fire station, and build goodwill within their community.

And, Levi Vending benefits from new locations for their machines. "Location is everything for vending companies," says Babbitt. "And our sponsored machines each carry a sign which declares 'Half the profits from this machine support Fire Station #___.' Customers can feel good about making a purchase, knowing they too are doing some good.'

Levi Vending will work with local business sponsors to customize offerings for their machines-for instance, a location serving students may choose healthy snack options including juices, bottled water, and baked chips.

For more information on the charity fund-raising program or to enroll your local fire station, another charity or business, contact Anthony Babbitt, Levi Vending,800-930-4462, or read more online at www.LeviVending.com