As financial advisors, our job is to help clients plan, save, and invest towards their goals in life. Starting a business, traveling the world, building their dream home…the goals themselves come in all shapes and sizes, as varied as grains of sand on a beach.
But there’s one goal in particular that many of my clients end up centering on: The desire to give back. To strengthen and support their community, just as their community has supported them.
So, when we came across the following story, about how an elderly man named Sam Sloan gave back to his community, you bet we were interested…and moved!
For those who live in a big city, it’s easy to become accustomed to the modern conveniences. Lots of shopping, plenty of places to eat, hospitals, movie theaters – all within miles. But if you live in a rural area, this may not be the case. Many rural towns rely on volunteers in order to provide public services to their residents…especially if they don’t have the budget needed to maintain those services.
Such is the case in Calhoun, Missouri, a small town of only around 500 people. Due to its size, Calhoun’s two-dozen firefighters are all volunteers — including their chief, Mark Hardin. But fighting fires is never free. It requires training, equipment, and, of course, fire engines. So, with an annual budget of only $4,800, the volunteers were used to paying out of their own pockets to keep things running.1
But when Mark looked at the department bank account one spring day a few years ago, he knew that belt-tightening and self-funding would no longer be enough. The laundry list of things his crew needed was long. Most of their equipment was from the 1980’s. Nearly their entire annual budget had been spent repairing their only two working firetrucks. (Their other trucks stopped functioning years ago.) The remaining $169 left in their bank account would not be enough to get what they needed. In fact, it probably wouldn’t be enough to get them through the rest of the year. So, left with no other choice, Mark began preparing to dip into his own savings again.
Sam, a retired rancher and business owner, had grown up in Calhoun and lived two miles from the firehouse. He and his wife enjoyed a comfortable life and no longer needed the land and other assets they’d accumulated over the years. He did not know of the fire department’s meager bank account, nor that members of the crew were often paying out of pocket. But he did know that his local fire station had been running on little more than grit, sweat, and a shoestring budget for decades.
He also knew how much admiration he had for the volunteer firefighters serving his community.
That morning, having finally sold off his business and much of his land, he decided to give Chief Hardin a call. The two men didn’t know each other, but he invited Mark for breakfast to “ask a bunch of general questions about the fire department.” A second breakfast followed a week later, followed by a final invitation for Mark to visit him at home.
When Mark walked through the door, Sam held out a piece of paper. “What do you think about this?” he asked.1
It was a check…made out to the Calhoun Volunteer Fire Department, for a total of $500,000.
“I’ve never seen a check with so many zeros,” Mark replied.1
Stunned, Mark listened as Sam recounted a decision he made long ago: To use most of his life earnings to donate a large amount to the fire department upon retirement. He’d worked for years towards that long-term goal, foregoing the idea of buying expensive clothes or fancy sports cars. (The only luxury he typically allowed himself was eating out for breakfast each morning.) Instead, he’d saved, and saved, and saved. It was a goal that gave him purpose.
The only thing Sam asked for in return was to host “a barbecue for the community and I hope this doesn’t happen any time soon, but someday, I’d like a firetruck to ride in front of my hearse on the way to my funeral.”1
In addition, Mark had a helmet made for Sam, appointing him as “Honorary Fire Chief.” And with the money, he was able to purchase a new water pump, two additional firetrucks (used), and new protective gear for every firefighter.
Sam’s generous gift left a lasting legacy amongst his community. It deepened his relationship with the local fire department. By following his heart, he found a clear sense of purpose, connection, and joy in his retirement.
We love stories like this. They remind us just how much good is being done in the world on a daily basis. And while Sam sadly passed away last year, it makes us glad to know that at his funeral procession, his last wish was granted…for in front of all his family and friends, and in front of his hearse, a bright red fire engine led the way.2
Sincerely,
The Omell Financial Group,
1 “Man, 91, shocks tiny firehouse with $500K gift,” The Washington Post, May 14, 2024. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2024/05/14/firehouse-donation-missouri-sam-sloan/
2 “Samuel A. “Sam” Sloan Obituary,” Hadley Funeral Home, May 31, 2025. https://www.hadleyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Samuel-A-SamSloan?obId=42703772
Sourced from Bill Good Letters Library
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