The Taylorstown Volunteer Fire Department last week got a boost in its efforts to bounce back from a devastating financial loss with a donation from a local bank.

The First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County Thursday presented the fire department with a $10,000 donation to be used for new bunker gear and pants. The gear that the firefighters had been using was stained with diesel fuel from accidents involving trucks on Interstate 70.

The fire department lately has been near bankruptcy after thousands -- perhaps as much as hundreds of thousands -- of dollars turned up missing in recent years. Longtime member William R. McDonough has been accused of embezzlement.

Mr. McDonough, who is also suspected of taking out a second mortgage on a new fire department building without the knowledge of other members, has agreed to pay $70,000 in restitution by April 8 or face trial on charges of theft and receiving stolen property.

Bank board members read media accounts of the problem and unanimously voted to give more than a standard donation to the department, said bank President Scott S. O'Neil.

"We try to support the local fire companies with the fund-raisers and things like that, but we felt this was a special situation," Mr. O'Neil said.

The company, based in Waynesburg, has eight branch offices, including one in Buffalo Township, which receives fire protection from the department, as does neighboring Blaine. Since media reports of the situation began appearing earlier this month, department president and chief engineer Glenn Huston said donations of $25 to $250 have been flooding in from as far away as Bridgeville, Bentleyville and Finleyville. The city of Washington also donated boots.

"It's amazing the support we're getting," said Mr. Huston.

Department Treasurer Teri Joyce said she received a $100 cash donation from a co-worker, and while the bank check was being presented to the department by Mr. O'Neil, the local Gander Mountain store in Washington called to say it would donate a global positioning device, which is mandatory for the use of medical helicopters in emergencies.

Although the members at first sought to keep the matter private out of embarrassment, department vice president and second lieutenant Richard Joyce said shining light on the truth ended up being the best course of action.

"Sometimes you just have to tell your story," he said.