August 4th 2021 By The Friends of Finnon
No history of MVFA is complete without mentioning Lois Pearson. Lois was one of the primary individuals involved in the founding of the Mosquito Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) in 1972. Much historical information of Mosquito comes from Lois’s written recollections. Her book, “Mosquito Memories” is available thru MVFA.
Our current fire department, the Mosquito Fire Protection District (MFPD), was formed by voter initiative in 1978 and is supported by property taxes from district property owners. The Mosquito Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) operated side-by-side with and in support of MFPD for many years. Most of MVFD’s revenue came from donations, Finnon Lake fees and fund-raising events.
The history of MVFA begins with Finnon Lake. The purchase of this property is the reason that MVFA exists today.
Prior to 1997 the State Of California owned the 121 acre Finnon Lake property. In 1997 the state declared the Finnon dam seismically unsafe and offered the property to MVFD, which bought it for $1.00. The primary intent of the purchase was to maintain a large body of water for local fire control. The purchase came with restrictions that it had to be maintained for public recreation and that if it ever decided to sell the property, the State would get first right of refusal. Due to the condemnation of the dam, the water level of the lake was lowered to half its full capacity. From 1997 to 2011, MVFD accrued a large debt for unpaid dam inspection fees, (which MVFA later paid).
In July 2005, MVFD reorganized from a 501(c)(4) fire-department support organization to a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit organization. In late 2006, the name of MVFD was changed to MVFA (Mosquito Volunteer Fire Association). The name, mission and corporate charter of MVFA was approved by the Internal Revenue Service of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the California Secretary of State and the California Department of Justice.
MVFA continues the tradition of sponsoring volunteer fund-raising events and charitable activities which benefit the entire community – including the fire department. These events were begun by Lois Pearson many years ago. The financial beneficiaries of these events are always stated on its advertising signs and on its website: http://www.GoMVFA.org.
It is important to note that Lois Pearson never abandoned her responsibilities for creating both MVFD and MVFA. Lois remained as Treasurer for both these organizations practically until the day she died.
MVFA provides community support and community education through various community events and thru published information sources like the Mosquito Byte, the Mosquito Phone Book and by providing assistance to residents in need through its community funds. Participation in MVFA events is voluntary. Over the years, MVFA has spent tens of thousands of dollars on tools, equipment, station rehab and remodeling man-hours in support of the Mosquito Fire Department. These expenditures are documented for the most part. Don’t forget, MVFA was formerly the Mosquito Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD), and its close ties to the Mosquito Fire Protection District are a matter of historical record.
The MVFA board maintains the name MVFA out of respect for and in memory of its founder and third generation Mosquito resident, Lois Pearson. A memorial to Lois is erected in the Pavilion Gardens of Finnon Lake Recreation Area (FLRA).
On April 17, 2007 the Finnon Lake property deed was officially signed over to MVFA. Around that time, the attorney for MFPD advised against any financial connection between MFPD and MVFA to avoid any taxpayer liability connected with MVFA events and Finnon property including dam fees, property taxes, liability insurance and maintenance costs. Shortly thereafter, the MFPD board removed MVFA from its liability insurance coverage, and MVFA purchased its own policy. MVFA has been self-insured ever since.
MVFA is financially independent and totally self-supporting. MVFA receives no income or financial support from MFPD or any other tax source, nor from SCPOA or any other property owner’s association.
MVFA Charter
Neither MVFA nor Finnon Lake Recreation Area has any affiliation with SCPOA. MVFA does not endorse or support any political candidates or parties. Most maintenance work at Finnon is accomplished by volunteers. The income from all MVFA fund-raising events are donations, and the events are accomplished solely through the efforts of community volunteers. MVFA has no guaranteed income. Its budget is comprised of funds into which fees are directed and donors can direct their donations. It is MVFA policy to use the proceeds of those funds only as the fund specifies. Financial statements are made public at every monthly MVFA board meeting. The MVFA Board of Directors meeting is held at 3:00pm at the pavilion or Frank’s Diner on the first Thursday of each month, and is open to the public.
IRS rules prohibit transferring cash from a 501c3 (like MVFA) whose donations may be tax deductible by the donor, to a non-501c3 organization (like the Mosquito Fire Department). The financial separation between MFPD and MVFA does not stop MVFA from contributing volunteer time and resources to support the Mosquito Fire Department. Projects consist of needs that were not covered in the MFPD budget, and are accomplished with resident donations and help from MVFA volunteers. The MVFA Crafters purchased a new clothes washer and dryer for the fire department, and MVFA raised over $4,000 in donations from the community to purchase a Thermal Imaging Camera for the fire department, and paid $2,500 toward purchase of the new storage shed behind the fire station.
MVFA maintains a “Station 75 Fund” which provides the money to buy tools and equipment for the fire station, at the request of the Chief. Anyone is free to donate to this fund – or any other MVFA fund – at any time.
To be continued.
Note: The Friends of Finnon are composed of hikers, mountain bikers, pet walkers, campers, disc golfers, fishermen, Boy Scouts, church groups, wildlife enthusiasts, bird watchers, motorcyclists, canoeists and kayakers, and others seeking a safe place to find peace and quiet.
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