Firefighters say that behind every successful fire department is a strong Ladies’ Auxiliary, ready to support them however they can.
For the Halls Volunteer Fire Department, that support comes from a newly reorganized Ladies’ Auxiliary that officially reformed in April, around Easter weekend.
Leading the group is President Judye Tart, who previously spent five years with the Piney Grove Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary in Giddensville.
“We had a meeting, I think it was Easter Monday,” Tart recalled during a recent interview. “The chief (Brian Royal) told us all to come and talk. When I got there, a few of the ladies had a notepad, and they had written down my name. I asked, ‘What’s this?’ They told me they wanted me to be president. I said, ‘We have to talk about this for a minute.’”
After some discussion, Tart accepted the role.
“I was very humbled,” she admitted. “I was the financial aid and scholarship director and veterans coordinator at Sampson Community College, and I’m retired now. I have a little bit of extra time, and I love helping people. As far as being in charge, that doesn’t matter to me. What matters is that we, as a group, have helping hands and that we all contribute 100 percent.”
Despite her leadership experience, Tart admitted she was initially overwhelmed by the responsibility.
“Being a leader, I had a big knot in my throat,” she recalled. “I couldn’t believe it because this is not what I was there for, but they asked me. I thought, ‘Well, if they’ve asked, I’m going to step up to the plate, and I’m going to do my best.’ But I’ve got to have their help, too.”
Traditionally, a Ladies’ Auxiliary supports its fire department by assisting firefighters during emergency incidents, providing water, food and other refreshments while crews are on scene. Auxiliary members also remain active in their communities by organizing events and fundraisers that help purchase equipment, safety gear and other items that benefit both the department and local residents.
The Halls Ladies’ Auxiliary has already begun those efforts.
On Aug. 11, the group will host a live raffle on the fire department’s Facebook page, giving away two handcrafted barn quilts created by Tart. Tickets are $10 each, and the raffle will begin at 7:15 p.m.
“Right now, we’re trying to raise some money,” she explained. “Everything anyone does requires funds. The ticket sales for the raffle have been so great that I’ve decided to donate two of my 3-by-3 waving flag quilts with a cross. We hope to use some of these funds to help people in our community who may have a need.
“We want people to know we’re more than just someone connected to a fire department that puts out fires,” she continued. “We’re here for the community. If there’s something we can do to help, we want to help.”
Drawing from her experience with the Piney Grove auxiliary, Tart hopes to bring new ideas to the organization, but she emphasized that every member should have a voice.
“We’re going to be structured so we can make sure we’re a stable auxiliary,” she said. “We’re in the process of getting everything together now. I want us to have committees because it’s not just one person — we’re a team. We’re working together to do what we can for our firefighters and support them because they need it.
“They need us whenever they’re out battling blazes, giving their time and effort, and they need somebody to help with the extra things,” Tart added. “But it’s not just our firefighters; we support our community. If someone’s in need, we’re going to reach out and see what we can do to help.”
Tart also encouraged residents not to hesitate to contact the auxiliary if they need assistance. While the group may not be able to meet every need, she said members are committed to helping in any way they can.