The Vienna Fundraising Committee invited folks to take part in a 50-50 raffle and other fundraisers at the Youngstown Warren Regional Airport cafe as they raise money for 6 full-time firefighters/EMTS and 4 police officers who were laid off after Vienna Township found out it was broke.
 
"We have a bake sale, we have lots of goodies, we have bread, we have Rice Krispy treats, we are doing a 50/50. We have over 83 baskets," Jacqueline Sage said.  
 
"The first responders have always been so great and so helpful to all of us. ... And we just want to give back to them as best we can," Philomena Richmond added.
 
If you're wondering why the first responders aren't collecting unemployment, so are they? 
 
They've been told Vienna Township didn't pay into the unemployment system, nor the retirement system so they can't collect.
 
 They are waiting on the findings of a state audit and the results of an investigation.
 
"I know a lot of people who have been there for years. This was the place they planned to retire from. ...All of that is supposed to be paid by the township fiscal officer there. We don't understand what happened there," Caleb Richmond, a volunteer Vienna Firefighter said.
 
The volunteer firefighters who are still showing up for calls when they can for absolutely no pay, tell me they worry the most about the community members, and what will happen to them during an emergency or when they need help.
 
The township vendor won't let Vienna Buy tires for the Fire Chief's township vehicle he used to respond to fires while he works for free until the township pays for prior bills.
 
A community-friendly business may donate those, if not the group will hold another fundraiser.