Spaghetti feed to benefit volunteer firefighters association
Tickets for gun drawing available
It’s that time of the year once again for the Chester Volunteer Firefighters Association’s all-you-can-eat spaghetti feed and drawing fundraising drive, Saturday, April 6, starting at 5 p.m. at Chester Memorial Hall, located at 225 Gay St.
Tickets are $10 and include spaghetti, bread, salad, and cookies for dessert, plus coffee and soft drinks.
A fun time for all — guaranteed!
Ivan Eidhammer, president of the Firefighters Association and a volunteer firefighter, said that community members could always expect the annual fundraiser to be a fun time for the whole family and close friends, to get together and meet the volunteers who dedicate their time while potentially risking their well-being to benefit the community at large.
Funds raised purchase essential gear
The CVFA is an unfunded association. Because the district doesn’t have enough resources to buy all of the equipment that the firefighting volunteers may need, a major portion of the funds raised at the event is used to replace obsolete fire equipment through the purchase of much needed gear, stated Eidhammer, including supplementary medical devices and rescue tools, as well as money for training equipment.
Community programs benefit, too
A percentage of the money raised from the dinner also goes to support a number of community programs as well, such as sponsoring Chester Little League and Chester High School Sober Grad, plus the department offers a $500 scholarship to a deserving Chester senior, noted Karen Lichti, Chester Fire public information officer and firefighter, who is very active in the association.
Given that the CVFA has no financial backing, Lichti said the association really needs all the support it receives, and depends exclusively on donations and from fundraisers.
“They depend greatly on the generosity of individuals in the community to raise the money to fully equip its members,” she said.
Drawing
A drawing will be held at 7 p.m. and will include several donated items, with tickets going for $1 each. Tickets for the drawing are available at the door.
Eidhammer encourages people to buy as many tickets as they can to improve their chances of winning a prize. The winner does not need to be present at the drawing.
Gun drawing
Additionally, a special drawing will be held during the spaghetti dinner featuring a Remington 243 bolt-action rifle with scope and a 22-inch rifledbarrel and black synthetic stock.
There are plenty of tickets still available for the gun drawing at $10 apiece.
Volunteer firefighters work without compensation
Volunteers often work odd hours to protect the public when fires break out, Eidhammer noted.
“It’s common that they have to get out of bed in the middle of the night or interrupt their personal time to fight fires or for other emergencies, and without compensation.”
Monetary donations received throughout the year are especially welcome for the purchase of such things as fireproof gloves, heavy-duty boots, tools like axes and shovels, and other miscellaneous items, including some repairs.
Get your tickets today!
Purchase tickets for the dinner and the gun drawing by either visiting the offices of the Chester Fire Department at 251 Chester Airport Road, Chester Plumas Bank or ask any firefighter from Chester Fire for tickets.
Newly hired Chester Fire chief and Emergency Services director Brian Layne said he supports the efforts of the Chester Volunteer Firefighters Association, even though the Chester Fire Department is not directly involved in the fundraiser.
“All the staff here at Chester Fire appreciate the community support given to help raise funds for the Chester Volunteer Firefighters Association,” Layne said, “which is essential to our success.”
Looking to volunteer?
On a side note, Eidhammer also wanted the community to know that the Chester Fire Department is currently searching for additional volunteers who share the same dedication to keep the community safe from fire and other emergency situations.
Without volunteers, he said too few first responders would be available when there are medical emergencies or structure fires, which would place all of us in potential danger.
Information on the Chester Fire Department can be found on the CPUD website at www.chesterPUD.org.
