MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The South Lake County Volunteer Firefighters Association is preparing to host its annual fundraiser dinner, raffle and auction next week, which helps fund important equipment purchases and community organizations.
The fourth annual event will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 19, at Twin Pine Casino's event center on Highway 29 in Middletown.
Dan McCabe, a captain with the district and the association president, said the annual event is the association's only fundraiser.
The association had hosted the event in the 1970s and 1980s before it stopped for several years, he said.
“We picked it up and started it again four years ago,” McCabe said.
The event has proved to be key to the association's ability to support the fire district's operations, he said.
Funds raised from the event go toward district equipment purchases, McCabe said.
“The needs are endless with the fire district, especially with the current budget situation,” McCabe said, noting the lack of building in the district has impacted tax revenue, which has decreased significantly over the last five to six years.
McCabe said the district has older engines and ambulances that need to be replaced, with engines running between $400,000 and $500,000.
“We go after all the grants we can, it's just a matter of winning them,” he said.
In addition to trying to address the fire district's needs, “We give back a lot to the community,” McCabe said of the association, which has about two dozen members.
He said the association also contributes to Relay for Life, the annual Christmas Spirit of the Season food and gift effort and the Candy Cane Run, and offers assistance to individuals and their families who are facing emergencies, health issues or other challenges.
Proceeds from the 2014 event also were used to provide academic scholarships to high school seniors who have shown serious interest in becoming first responders, the association reported.
Tickets for the June 19 fundraiser cost $40 in advance or $50 at the door, with $5 free play from Twin Pine Casino included.
McCabe said the evening will feature a great dinner, with selections including hand-carved Angus prime rib or salmon fillet, with tickets including up to three glasses of wine.
There will be a 50/50 raffle, general raffle prizes and door prizes, and a live auction. Among the prizes will be quality firearms; McCabe said a firearms dealer will be on site to do paperwork, and the 10-day wait will apply before winners can pick up their firearms.
Tickets can be purchased at the Middletown Fire Department, 21095 Highway 175, telephone 707-987-3089, Extension 4, or ask your favorite South Lake County firefighter.
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