‘Buy a Brick’ campaign supports fountain restoration

Owego Hose Teams, Inc., the local not-for-profit spearheading the Baker Fireman’s Fountain Restoration, has launched a “Buy a Brick” campaign to support the effort.  

As part of the project, a memorial brick walkway will be set leading up to the fountain, allowing the community the opportunity to be directly involved with the project. For $100, individuals, businesses and organizations can purchase a “memorial brick” that will forever memorialize their tax-deductible contribution. 

When a brick is ordered, the purchaser will receive a letter and certificate thanking them for their donation. If the brick is a gift in honor or in memory of someone, the hose team will prepare and send a letter and certificate to the person being honored or to the family of someone being remembered.  

As Owego Hose Teams, Inc. is a recognized 501(c)3 charitable organization, the contribution is tax deductible. All proceeds benefit the fountain restoration.  

The hose team recently issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a qualified conservation specialist to work on the restoration. Due to the age of the fountain and complexity of the effort, outside expertise and help is needed.  

The overall cost estimate for the restoration has climbed to $100,000 as a result. Repairs that must be made include cement and concrete replacement, cast iron refurbishment, repainting, pipe, and plumbing and pump work, basin liner repair and updated landscaping.  

For a proper restoration, the fountain will have to be disassembled and transported to a conservation facility for treatment. Through grants from the Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation and the Fannie C. Hyde Charitable Trust and ongoing fundraising efforts, the hose teams raised $40,000 in 2017 for the project. Fundraisers will continue through 2018.  

The 103-year-old fountain was given to the Village of Owego and its firefighters in 1914 by Frank M. Baker as a memorial to his son, George Hobart Baker, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1913.  Both men had been members and chief engineers of the Owego Fire Department. The fountain was last restored in 2000 and has again fallen into disrepair.  

For more information on purchasing a brick, visit www.OwegoHoseTeams.com/buy-a-brick.