| Welcome to the Cooperstown Crier |
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
2-21-2007 By MICHELLE MILLER Staff Writer This is where fire auxiliaries come into play. The word auxiliary means to back up or aid, and that is exactly what members of an auxiliary do, back up and aid their community and district firefighters. Peggy Leo, president of the Cooperstown fire auxiliary, said she became a member of her local fire auxiliary so she could meet people in her community. She said her husband is a fireman, and when they first met, he thought it would be a good way for her to meet people and become less shy. "It's something I enjoy doing," said Leo. "It gives you a good feeling and it's fun." Leo, who became president of the Cooperstown auxiliary last September, said the auxiliary's primary function is to aid the firemen when on a scene of a fire by furnishing beverages and food, and by helping the firefighters with fundraising. Leo said the Cooperstown Fire District has not had too many fundraisers, but is in the process of becoming better organized and community-involved. She said the auxiliary has been talking to the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce about getting more actively involved with the community. "We want the community to know we exist," said Leo. To date, all 15 members of the Cooperstown fire auxiliary are female. However, Leo said the auxiliary is always open to new members, including males, as long as they are 18 or older. Leo said it would be nice to get some "new blood" in the group in order to get more ideas. Leo said a few new fundraising ideas have been mentioned for this year, such as rummage sales and a car wash, but she said the group is always looking for more suggestions. The Cooperstown fire auxiliary has put on spaghetti dinners and pancake breakfasts in order to raise money in the past. The auxiliary also helps the firemen with the annual Children's Christmas Party and with the Baseball Induction Weekend. The auxiliary is in the process of putting together a cookbook, said Leo. She said the group is also planning to have another pancake breakfast on March 16, with perhaps a Saint Patrick's Day theme. The breakfast will be held at the firehouse from 8 to 11 a.m. Donna Mulford, who has been president of the Fly Creek Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary for seven years, said even though the Fly Creek fire auxiliary has existed for at least 47 years, it has not always been appreciated. Mulford said keeping the auxiliary together has been a hard battle, because before becoming a company, the department "didn't think it needed us because we weren't fighting the fires." According to Mulford, the Fly Creek fire auxiliary started with six or seven women and now has 18 very active members, both female and male. However, Mulford said the auxiliary dwindled down to three members, right before the fire department changed into a fire company. She said she did not want to see it fall apart, so she and the others struggled to hold on. It paid off, said Mulford, who said since the new company took over, things have just been "wonderful." Mulford said the Fly Creek auxiliary, like the Cooperstown auxiliary, goes to the scene of a fire right alongside the firemen to provide food and beverages. According to rules and regulations, water at room temperature or activity beverages may be used, not soda, said Mulford. Mulford said the auxiliary serves refreshments that will combat fatigue and restore electrolytes to stop dehydration. She said caffeine beverages interfere with the bodies' water conservation mechanisms. Food served is usually for quick pickup and includes items such as orange quarters, granola bars or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, according to Mulford. The Fly Creek fire auxiliary also may provide a light meal at the fire hall after a fire, flood, rescue or disaster, Mulford said. Mulford said the Fly Creek auxiliary does not only help the firemen; it also helps the community. For instance, the auxiliary has a food bank once or twice a month, and according to Mulford, there are no guidelines. "Anyone can pick up food or beverages on certain days," said Mulford. "We also do a Christmas cheer program to bring a little sunshine to an older person." Mulford said last year the fire company delivered 30 poinsettias and six Christmas baskets to elderly people. The auxiliary also helps aid fire district residents with fire loss, and provides people with temporarily needed items such as a specially made bed or wheelchair. Mulford said one young lady in the district, who had to have surgery, couldn't afford a bed she needed, so the auxiliary rented one for her. Another function the auxiliary takes on is maintaining a clean atmosphere at the fire hall. Mulford said if the fire hall is going to be used by the public, it is the auxiliary's job to make sure the hall, kitchen and bathrooms are clean and have proper supplies. Mulford said the auxiliary holds fundraisers in order to replenish its supplies. The auxiliary's main fundraiser is a pancake breakfast, which is coming up in March during the Fly Creek Days. The breakfast will include an allyou- can-eat buffet of pancakes, eggs, home fries, sausage, and beverages. Kids under five will eat free and adults will eat for $6. "It is something for the community to do," said Mulford. "It brings everyone together to really have a good time." The auxiliary's funding comes from the public, and Mulford said the group deeply appreciates all the help and support the community gives. She said she would like to give a special thanks to all the people who participated in the coat and clothing drive this past Christmas, which she said was a "big success." "We at the Fly Creek Volunteer Fire Company are a family of neighbors, family and friends, all working together to better our community," Mulford said. If interested in becoming a Fly Creek or Cooperstown fire auxiliary member, contact Fly Creek President Donna Mulford at 293-6473 or Cooperstown President Peggy Leo at 547-2636. Leo also said people can write her a letter at P.O. Box 1 in Cooperstown for further information. |
Copyright 2007, Cooperstown Crier, Cooperstown, NY All rights reserved