“We formed the Riverside Fire Department Auxiliary a couple months ago,” said Kathrine Lambert, chairwoman of the Riverside Fire Department Auxiliary.
Lambert said there are a lot of women whose boyfriend or husband is a member of the Riverside Volunteer Fire Department.
“We would watch TV or talk to each other while the fire fighters were out running calls,” she said. “One day I said, ‘I want to do something.’”
Lambert said the other women jumped on board, and the new auxiliary was formed.
“We currently have nine members, all women, but men are welcome to join as well,” she said.
Lambert said the Riverside Fire Department Auxiliary has been holding fundraisers with the proceeds benefiting the fire department for whatever is needed.
“We have been selling biscuits and coffee for breakfast at the fishing tournaments,” she said. “And we plan to start offering lunch within a couple weeks.”
Lambert said the lunches will include things like hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, and drinks.
“It is a good fundraiser to start with, especially with the reopening of the boat launch,” she said.
Lambert said there are no specific fundraising goals yet.
“We are trying to get everything started,” she said. “We are doing pretty well so far. Every week we raise more money than the week before.”
Councilwoman Rachelle Painter, a member of the Riverside Fire Department Auxiliary, said in addition to fundraising the auxiliary members will help the fire department get information out to the public about the services the Riverside Volunteer Fire Department offers.
“It is also about community involvement,” she said. “We participated in a recent Easter Egg hunt in addition to serving breakfast for the fishing tournaments.”
Painter said each Saturday morning the auxiliary offers sausage, egg, and cheese biscuits, coffee, and bottled water from about 5 a.m.-8:30 a.m. at Riverside Landing.
“The breakfast is something great we can offer for the fishermen, both those fishing in tournaments and our local residents who come out to fish,” she said.
Painter said the basic reason for the auxiliary is to support the fire department, such as offering support during fires (bringing water/food if necessary to the fire fighters) and also helping with the purchase of any small equipment the fire department needs.
“Everyone is welcome to join as long as they are willing to help and participate,” Lambert said.
Riverside fire Chief Tim Kurzejeski said he is excited to have the auxiliary active.
“This is an idea we have had for a little while,” he said. “They will be a tremendous help for public events, and are a tremendous asset, not just to the fire department, but to the whole town.”
Kurzejeski said the auxiliary members have numerous good ideas.
“They have done some really good stuff already, and we are happy to have them here,” he said.
For more information about the Riverside Fire Department Auxiliary call Riverside fire Chief Tim Kurzejeski at 205-338-7692.
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