Annual fireman picnic raises more than $10,000 for St. Ignatius fire department
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
ST. IGNATIUS – More than 600 friends and supporters of the St. Ignatius Volunteer Fire Department came out to enjoy delicious food, games, and fellowship at the Old Town Field in St. Ignatius on June 25, raising more than $10,000 for the department.
Fire Chief Ray Frey, who has served on the St. Ignatius fire department for 25 years, 11 of those as chief, explained that the money will go towards equipping firefighters with personal protective gear. According to Frey, it costs about $6,000 to outfit one firefighter. Over the years, the department has used the money to replace older fire trucks and buy new ice rescue equipment.
"It helps us do our job more effectively," firefighter and picnic chairman Tim Mitchell said of the new and updated equipment they are able to buy.
When it comes to fundraising, "we don't set a goal," Frey said. "We are happy to get what we get."
The picnic this year included a surplus of home-cooked delights including: baked beans, coleslaw, salad, barbeque pork, beef, turkey and hot dogs. Community members enjoyed a meal and fellowship under the large pavilion, as they waited for the auction to begin.
"When we first started we wanted to give the community something to do," Frey said. He explained that the event usually draws people from as far away as Missoula and Polson.
Alongside the food, more than a dozen games kept young children entertained throughout the event’s entirety. Children played volleyball with University of Montana football players, while others cooled off on the waterslide. Other children gravitated to racecars, basketball and face painting. All the games were free for those who purchased dinner tickets, which cost $5 per person, or $25 per family.
The firemen also raised money through a silent and live auction, multiple raffles and door prizes. Some of the major prizes raffled off were a freezer filled with beef and a log playhouse. The fire department also held a drawing for a pistol and .220 rifle.
"The food is what gets them (attendees) here but the auction is what makes the money," Mitchell said.
Another popular attraction was the 50/50 gamble. Ticket sales were split in half between the winning ticket holder, and the fire department at the end of the night.
According to Frey, 200 items were donated to the auction from various individuals and businesses throughout Lake County and beyond Missoula.
“We had a lot of homemade crafts up for auction this year,” he said. “It was quite amazing and unusual. Many of the things auctioned would go for more outside of an auction. We have a lot of talented people here in the valley.”
Frey credits the success of the event to the members of the Fireman Picnic Committee, who meet periodically for five months prior.
"Without the picnic committee there would be no picnic or auction. They are the backbone," he said. “It’s been amazing to see this event get so big.”
