PORT TOWNSEND — A sentimental donation will be one of the first gifts to the East Jefferson Fire-Rescue Firefighters Association since it obtained tax-exempt status.

Donations to the association are tax-deductible now it has been awarded tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization by the IRS — and the benefit is retroactive to past gifts.

One of the first people to donate under the new designation is Pat Bondurant, the widow of Jess Bondurant Jr., who died in September during his 19th year as an East Jefferson Fire-Rescue Department commissioner.

Pat is donating the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban that Jess drove.

“The kids came up with the idea because none of us need it,” said the Kala Point woman.

The couple’s daughter, Debra Trafton of Arizona; son Corie Bondurant of Shoreline; and son Robert Bondurant of Port Townsend agreed the car should go to the department, Pat said.

“Their dad was so crazy about the fire department,” she said. “They said they’d love to see the fire department’s logo on their dad’s car.”

Tax-exempt status

Volunteer firefighter/EMT Pat McNerthney shepherded the organization through the two-year process of obtaining tax-exempt status, said East Jefferson Fire-Rescue spokesman Bill Beezley on Friday.

“This hasn’t been easy,” McNerthney said. “It involved a great deal of paperwork and clarification with the IRS regarding our function.”

McNerthney stressed one big benefit of the new status.

“Now that we’re a 501(c)(3), any donations made to our organization are tax-deductible,” he said. “Better still, this is retroactive to donations made in prior years.”

Retroactive for prior donations

McNerthney recommended past and future donors contact their tax professional for advice regarding deductibility of prior and future donations.

Established in 1999, the association provides a variety of services to East Jefferson Fire-Rescue and primarily consists of volunteer firefighters and EMTs.

Many of their efforts go toward community service and providing equipment and labor in support of EJFR operations.

The association coordinates several annual events, including Burn the Boots, which benefits the Northwest Burn Foundation; “Puppets Please,” a free marionette holiday show for children in the community; the department’s annual appreciation dinner; and hose-testing for the department.

‘Drove car everywhere’

Jess Bondurant apparently loved the car about as much as he did the fire department.

Before his last year alive, when he was ill, “he drove it everywhere,” Pat said.

“His goal was he wanted to be able to drive it again,” but he was not able to before his death Sept. 6 following complications after heart surgery.

He was 70.

“He was a big guy, and it’s made for a big person,” Pat said. “That’s why I don’t drive it. I drive something smaller.”

The car has “all the luxuries, including leather seats,” she said. “It’s in really good shape.”

The car, still parked at the Bondurants’ Kala Point home, will be given formally to the firefighters after it clears probate, she said.

In the meantime, firefighters plan to store it under cover for the winter.

Those interested in donating money to the firefighters association can mail or drop off donations to the East Jefferson Fire-Rescue administrative office at 40 Seton Road, Suite A, Port Townsend, WA 98368.

Before donating other items, contact an association officer by email.

Those to contact are President Bob Colter, bobc@ptpc.com; Vice President Matt Mahan, mattewcmahan@mac.com; Secretary Colleen Rodrigues, crodrigues@jgh.org; or Treasurer Christa Ligtenberg, christaligtenberg@gmail.com.