The Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad’s campaign to raise funds for its $1.6 million headquarters is under way with a $5,000 donation from one of its members.

“We are starting full force the campaign today,” Director of Operations Kenneth J. Gardner said Thursday.

Squad member Charles F. Abel III got the ball rolling with a $5,000 in memory of his wife, Deborah, who died earlier this year.

Mr. Gardner said that a brick garden will be put outside the new squad building at the former Hackett Hardware store at 1223 Pickering St. and will be named for Mrs. Abel.

“We really think that that’s a good thing to do,” Mr. Gardner said.

Also, the squad building’s training room will be named for Charles W. Kelly, editor and publisher emeritus of The Journal.

“He’s been a wonderful advocate for us,” Mr. Gardner said.

Mr. Kelly said Thursday he appreciated the recognition.

“It’s certainly a very nice gesture on their part,” he said.

The $1.6 million is the amount of a federal loan was approved last month with a 30 year repayment period.

The squad will spend $250,000 of its own funds to pare down the loan and hopes another $250,000 can be raised by the time the new building is ready for occupancy in November.

The donation levels for what the squad calls “The Hands of Time” campaign are:

—General donation; under $60.

—Memorial garden brick; $60.

—Entry way column block; $600.

—Clock Tower Club; a single $6,000 to help pay off the loan and reduce the need for annual fund raisers.

—Naming opportunities (building rooms and features); $6,000 to $36,000.

The squad will set up information tables at the following places: Kinney Drugs, 700 Canton St., July 1, Aug. 19 and Sept. 16; Save-A-Lot, Canton St., July 8, Aug. 12 and Sept. 15; Wal-Mart, 3000 Ford St. Extension, July 14, Aug. 11 and Sept. 8; and Lowe’s, 2001 Ford St. Extension, July 15, Aug. 18 and Sept. 9. For more information, call the squad at 393-0837.

The squad is currently located at 101 State St.

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