Sears of McMinnville is partnering with the National Volunteer Fire Council to raise money for Viola Valley Volunteer Fire Department as part of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores charity campaign called Salute to Local Heroes.The objective is to provide firehouses across the nation with critical funds to improve resources for training, equipment and financial support where local heroes need it most. Through Dec. 31, Sears customers and company employees will have the opportunity to donate toward the National Volunteer Fire Council while making a purchase. All contributed funds will go directly to the local fire station for that store’s community, in this case Viola Valley.In addition, $2 from each Craftsman Bottle Cap Wrench purchase will be directly donated to Viola Valley.“Increasing budget cuts in fire departments nationwide are making it extremely difficult for firefighters to properly do their job, especially since seven in 10 firefighters are volunteers,” said Heather Schafer, executive director of National Volunteer Fire Council.