Class of '48 Makes $3K Donation for 'Geraldine'

The Madison High School Class of 1948 has donated $3,000 to the Friends of Geraldine for the ongoing maintenance and preservation of antique fire engine Geraldine, Fire Chief Lou DeRosa has announced.

A note delivered with the check said members of the Class of 1948 Reunion Committee “unanimously agreed to donate this amount to give something back to the town for supplying us with a meaningful education.”

The fire truck, donated to Madison in 1921 by Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge, belongs to the Borough of Madison again.

Decades after the truck was sold by the borough, a group of Madison firefighters and history enthusiasts tracked it down, brought it back to Madison on loan, and spearheaded successful fundraising efforts and grant applications to buy back a piece of Madison history.

"The Friends of Geraldine would like to simply say 'Thank You' to the Class of 1948 and the many other donors to our project," DeRosa said. "The money is needed to and will be used to definitely maintain and preserve Geraldine for future generations. Yes, we now own her, but funds will always be needed to preserve her. Anyone wishing to help in preserving Geraldine can make a donation to the Friends of Geraldine and mail it to the Madison Fire Department or just drop it off at the firehouse where you can see Geraldine."

For more information about the Friends of Geraldine visit the organization's website.