The Halls Fire and Rescue Ladies’ Auxiliary raised $5,320 from its Aug. 11 barn quilt raffle, and the money is already being put to good use to support not only the firefighters but also the surrounding community.
The newly reorganized Ladies’ Auxiliary officially reformed in April, and President Judye Tart, shared her excitement for the plans the group has made to use the money they raised by raffling two barn quilts Tart made.
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.
Tart shared in a phone interview Thursday that she enjoys making barn quilts, and the newly reformed auxiliary needed to raise some funds for plans they wanted to implement, so it was a natural choice to volunteer to make the barn quilts. She shared that the process from start to finish takes about a week, depending on design, which she chose a waving American flag with a cross in the middle in honor of America’s 250th.
Tart shared the many plans the ladies have in store with the $5,320, starting with the fire station kitchen.The president explained that the auxiliary wanted to create an emrgency meal plan since the firefighters never know when they’ll receive a call,or how long they might be on site. The kitchen being functional was the first step in making this meal plan a reality. “If you don’t have a good kitchen, you’re in a mess,” Tart explained, when describing the role the auxiliary plays in not only serving the fightfighters, but the community as well.
The president stated that another way the auxiliary supports the firefighters, is with supplies and support when they are at a site for a length of time. The ladies provide water, Gatorade, and snacks, as well as prayer for the firemen. Tart shared how lately, with the extreme heat, the firefighters are especially affected. Wearing all their equipment, in the extreme temperatures, as well as in the fires themselves, make it especially vital to have hydration and nourishment. She said it means a lot to the firemen to have that support on the site, and that it also is a way the ladies can “be there for somebody in their time of need.”
There are fall and holiday activity plans in the works, with Tart stressing that the hope is to provide a safe place for children to come for events like Cookies with Santa, as well as involvement in the annual turkey shoot — specifically the junior shoot.
The president explained that the ladies plan to train in CPR and First Aid alongside the firefighters. Halls is not just a fire station, but a rescue as well, the president stated. There isn’t an ambulance, but the firemen do go on calls when people have fallen, and there is a landing pad for emergency helicopters, which auxiliary members can operate, and wait for the rescue vehicles to arrive when firefighters are out on calls. She stressed the auxiliary’s resolve to be active and involved in any way possible to extend the ways the firefighters serve.
Tart stressed that she enjoys being a part of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, emphasizing that “it’s a lot of fun to be a part and know you’re helping someone.”
The auxiliary meets the second Monday of every month, along with the fire chief, where the members work on projects and determine goals for what is needed at the fire department and in the community — and how they can meet those needs.