St. Ignatius Fireman’s picnic celebrates 20 years
Karen Peterson photo
The 20th annual St. Ignatius Volunteer Fireman’s picnic drew people to support their local firefighters by purchasing auction items and lunch.
Karen Peterson photo
Charley Gariepy received a golden axe for 32 years of service with the St. Ignatius Volunteer Fire Department.
Karen Peterson photo
The 20th annual St. Ignatius Volunteer Fireman’s picnic drew people to support their local firefighters by purchasing auction items and lunch.
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ST. IGNATIUS – Every year for the past 20 years, volunteers have taken the time to put together the St. Ignatius Volunteer Fire Department’s picnic to raise funds to help offset the department’s operating costs.
“We started this picnic so we wouldn’t have to go after tax payers for more money through levies,” said Tim Mitchell, volunteer firefighter.
Mitchell estimated that one picnic in the past brought in more than $20,000. He said that the picnic lunch brings in people and the auction brings in the money. People have donated some interesting things to the auction over the years, he said.
“We had a pink casket the second year of the picnic,” he said. “It went for about $400. This year we have a two seated outhouse.”
Fewer people attended this year’s picnic.
“It might be the rain,” firefighter Ray Frey said. “We need more people to get involved. Some of our best supporters have died.”
Frey said the department would look a little sparse without the picnic revenue.
“If we didn’t raise money we would have to cut back and live off the money the city and rural departments get from tax payers. The money from the picnic has helped buy gear and four fire trucks. Each truck was $30,000.”
The volunteer firefighters are answering emergency calls when they aren’t trying to raise money.
“We went on about a dozen or more house fires last year,” Frey said. “Grass fires were pretty nil this spring because of the weather, but we usually get called on grass fires. Most of our calls come from wrecks.”
The auction has grown over the years to include a sheltered picnic area, helicopter visits from Medstar, a professional auctioneer, a Ronan Boy Scout clean-up crew and games for the kids.
“It started out more like a yard sale,” Frey said.
The firefighters appreciated everyone’s help.
“We can’t thank people enough for what they do for the department,” Frey said. “None of this would happen without volunteers and the community.”
Before the auction started, the crowd gave a loud applause to retiring volunteer firefighter Charley Gariepy for his 32 years of service. He was honored with the department’s golden axe.
“It’s been a lot of years,” Gariepy said. He thought back to the most intense fire he was ever on and remembered when the drug store burned down. He said the floor caved in and he had to hold up a fellow volunteer firefighter until help arrived.
“Thank you for your service,” actioneer Steve Allard said.
