First of all, unfortunately, there is no group called "Tri Cities Fraud Busters".  If it did exist however, it'd be doing everyone a favor by reporting correct information.  The above individual, who claims to have all of this information, can't even be bothered with spelling and grammar apparently...but I digress.  The local FFA has utilized this same fundraiser for the past 6 years, doing one spring, and one fall show per year.  Upon calling both people in charge of their respective areas, you can clearly get all information you need from their website at http://www.tcpffa.org or by calling their main office number at 423-282-1257 and asking to speak to the supervisor.  The reason I know this, is because I've been purchasing tickets from the Johnson City guys ever since they started this years ago, and I've spoken to Ian Keys.  I normally get called by different people every year which leads me to believe (and I could be wrong) that as with any sales type job, they probably go through quite a few people...one wonders if the previous post was from a disgruntled ex employee who just couldn't hack it?  : )

They DO NOT represent any firefighters anywhere nor are any fire fighters or fire depts associated with them in any way. So who are the "firefighters?" They say they send money to Camp
Phoenix for burned children and help families whose homes have been destroyed. They have like 4 employess in JC who are all male and the manager is well....call the number and judge for yourself. They have nothing to do with "firefighters" in any way whatsoever. Their goal is to get you to say yes to concert tickets at over 50 Dollars a sale so you are legally bound to pay once they arrive at your home.

Just a guy,  Your just uninformed or not very bright. You are being called by a professional fundraiser. Fireco, the Gehl Group. back in the day also Xentel. They are hired by fraternal organization and associations. Most of these are firefighter and police organizations. They are non profit but not tax deductable, they have to give you something for your pledge. That is what it is " a pledge" you are not legally Bound to pay for anything. The fact is only about 60 percent of the people you make a pledge pay it and that's if the fundraiser is lucky. When Joseph Gehl first started he was a music promotor. Good idea to team up with firefighters and police to promot and sell his shows. It grew from there. Back in early 2000 he sold out to Xentel. Fireco president Frank Stephens was Vice president of the Gehl Group. After the sale he went out and started Fireco. What you have to remember is the firefighters and police organizations [***] out their names to make money. They know how much the fundraisers get. 20 percent of 500,000.00 is better than nothing. They can't legally raise it themselves and 100,000.00 is a lot of money to a Faternal org. It's like the Elk's made up of firefighters and police. Anyway good luck in your giving and have a great holiday.

Just a guy,  Your just uninformed or not very bright. You are being called by a professional fundraiser. Fireco, the Gehl Group. back in the day also Xentel. They are hired by fraternal organization and associations. Most of these are firefighter and police organizations. They are non profit but not tax deductable, they have to give you something for your pledge. That is what it is " a pledge" you are not legally Bound to pay for anything. The fact is only about 60 percent of the people you make a pledge pay it and that's if the fundraiser is lucky. When Joseph Gehl first started he was a music promotor. Good idea to team up with firefighters and police to promot and sell his shows. It grew from there. Back in early 2000 he sold out to Xentel. Fireco president Frank Stephens was Vice president of the Gehl Group. After the sale he went out and started Fireco. What you have to remember is the firefighters and police organizations [***] out their names to make money. They know how much the fundraisers get. 20 percent of 500,000.00 is better than nothing. They can't legally raise it themselves and 100,000.00 is a lot of money to a Faternal org. It's like the Elk's made up of firefighters and police. Anyway good luck in your giving and have a great holiday.

i do not have any specific dealing with this charity. but i was a fundraiser for decades. if you want to start a charity for homeless animals? how would you get the $? fundraisers. i'm sad to say that there are some bad people on the phone. i was a phone room manager for over 8 years. you try to get rid of the bad ones. but sometimes you miss out. even companies like AT&T have bad employees. IF the funraiser lies to you? report them. if they say they're a cop, firefighter, disabled vet, etc. the FTC will shut them down & fine the heck out of them. but fundraising as a whole. there's nothing wrong with it. like the other poster said. the police & firefighters can't legally raise the money themselves. so how else to do it? you think the united way doesn't pay their empolyees? they have BMWs & Mercedes in their parking lot. fireco has one of the reputable companies out there. i know.