CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — AMVETS Post 2256 in Circleville says it has given $2,000 to the Pickaway Township Fire Department in support of local first responders.
In a public post, the veterans organization said Post Commander Tim Combs presented the donation. “Thank you to the dedicated men and women who serve and protect our community. AMVETS Post 2256 is proud to support our local first responders,” the post said.
The fire station and the AMVETS post sit on the same road south of downtown Circleville. The fire department is at 579 Tarlton Road. The post is at 818 Tarlton Road.
Where the fire department responds
The Pickaway Township Fire Department provides fire and emergency medical service to Pickaway Township and Circleville Township in Pickaway County. Those two townships together cover about 59 square miles around, but not including, the incorporated City of Circleville, which has its own fire department.
Pickaway Township itself covers about 49 square miles in the southeastern part of the county. Circleville Township covers about 10 square miles. Circleville Township trustees have said they have an agreement with the Pickaway Township Fire Department to provide fire and EMS for existing township properties. The city and township also have reciprocal service agreements so stations can assist each other when needed.
The department’s public page says it serves residents in that district, listed an ISO rating of 5/5X, and reported more than 1,800 dispatched runs in 2021. Local reporting in 2024 put recent annual run totals near 1,700. The department has also accepted community gifts in recent years, including support toward a utility task vehicle used for off-road and limited-access calls.
What AMVETS is
AMVETS stands for American Veterans. The organization was founded in 1944 and received a congressional charter in 1947, when President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 216.
Its stated mission is “to enhance and safeguard the entitlements for all American Veterans who have served honorably and to improve the quality of life for them, their families, and the communities where they live through leadership, advocacy and services.” Membership is open to people who honorably served, or are serving, in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves. AMVETS says it has more than 250,000 members nationwide.
Post 2256 is the local Circleville post. IRS records list it as a 501(c)(19) veterans organization formed in 1981. Public filings and local coverage describe the post as supporting veterans, youth programs, scholarships, an honor guard, and community causes in Pickaway County.
How people can support them
Residents who want to back the fire department can follow Pickaway Township Fire Dept. on Facebook, call the station at 740-474-7211 or 740-601-7692, or email pickawayfirestation@gmail.com. The department has previously posted about applications for membership and public education such as CPR classes. Emergency calls should go to 911.
People who want to support AMVETS Post 2256 can visit 818 Tarlton Road, Circleville, OH 43113, call 740-474-3787, or email amvets2256oh@aol.com. The post and its auxiliary regularly host public dinners, bingo, and other events. Eligible veterans can inquire about joining. The post also rents its hall and shelter house.
Statewide and national giving is separate from the local post. The Ohio AMVETS Service Foundation accepts checks made out to Ohio AMVETS Service Foundation at 960 Checkrein Ave., Columbus, OH 43229. Ohio AMVETS Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization, and the foundation says those gifts are tax deductible. Clothing and household-item pickups can be arranged through Ohio AMVETS donation programs. National information is at amvets.org. Donors who want a tax receipt should confirm the receiving organization’s status before giving.
The $2,000 gift, as described by the post, is a local example of the same work the organization says it does year-round: veterans helping the community that surrounds their post.
