Local fire departments will have a little more money at their disposal, thanks to Georgia-Pacific’s Savannah River Mill.

Plant manager Kelly Wolff handed out $1,000 checks to each of the four fire departments Monday morning.

“We’re recognizing our Effingham County firefighters for taking care of our community,” Wolff said, “for protecting our employees and everyone who lives here.”

Wolff said the plant wanted to do something to help local fire departments beyond the company’s Bucket Brigade grant. Those grants, for which fire departments submit proposals, are awarded annually.

“You and the firefighters in your units are the ‘boots on the ground’ when incidents and disasters occur in our community,” Wolff said. “You protect our community and provide assistance when it’s needed most. We appreciate your hard work, and we consider it a privilege to be able to help you keep providing that protection and assistance.”

With Monday’s checks, the departments can spend that largesse any way they wish.

“It means a lot to us from a financial standpoint,” said Guyton Fire Chief David Starling. “We do appreciate it very much.”