November 15, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. For 40 years,this has been their biggest fundraiser dinner of the year and their hopes are to raise enough funds to complete their just built bay and buy the needed equipment for the recently purchased used Tanker #15.
Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
For many people who live in the country, a big plate of smoked pork is a welcoming sight at any meal.
The Johns Creek Volunteer Fire Department agrees as they host their Annual Hunters Dinner on November 15 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. For 40 years, this has been their biggest annual fundraiser dinner.
They will be serving the favorite BBQ pork tenderloin and all the fixins’ that included: smoked pork, a host of vegetables, desserts and a drink. It is only a $10 donation per meal. It will be served to take out. People are welcome; however, they are encouraged to bring their own chairs to eat their meal at the picnic shelter across the road.
These funds go towards supporting one of their long-term goals, the completion of the new truck bay which will house their Equipment Truck #14 that has been sitting in the weather for a few years and their #15 tanker.
“The bay was built solely by our crew,” Jonathan Huffman said. “Building the bay by ourselves shows our team commitment to investing their time and efforts in this worthwhile project. The construction cost of the new bay has exhausted our reserve funds. However, we now have a fully functional bay that will house and protect our equipment.”
Huffman added, “It took us five months to do it and it whooped us.”
They built the building large enough to also park their latest addition to their fleet, the Pumper/Tanker #15.
After JCVFD had submitted numerous applications for federal grant monies but was denied each time, they used their funds to purchase a used one.
In June, they found a used 1989 Pierce Pumper/Tanker that met their requirement and was within their budget from an Arizona fire company.
The #15 does still need hardware to make it fully functional which is their next major project.
Huffman noted that the extra 3,000 gallons of water capacity provided by Tanker #15 will more than double the time that water can be hosed onto an involved structure and also allows faster refills for the portable drop tanks typically used on site.
“We increased from 2,400 gallons to 5,400 gallons or nine minutes of water to 22 minutes,” he added.
The new bay was built using the funds provided by the community as results of their generous donations and the fundraisers the department has hosted.
“In the meantime, we will finish the small detail as time and funding comes along,” Huffman added.
They still need to complete the painting of the exterior, built a chimney, install trim work inside and install a donated furnace so there will be heat.
They also need to purchase items for the #15 such as all the hand and power tools, nozzles, strainers, fittings and adapters and some hose. Huffman shared that it will be close to $50,000 if they buy everything brand new. Just one roll of fire hose is $1,000, nozzles cost between $400 to $2,000 each and they also need a radio and decals.
With the great turnout of the last spaghetti dinner in September, they are hoping the Hunters Dinner will bring great donations to help offset the current bay and truck expenditures.
“We hope our friends and neighbors will see the value of this new addition as another investment and commitment the Johns Creek Volunteer Fire Department at 116 Dicks Creek Road in New Castle has within the community,” the members noted.
They are also sponsoring a gun raffle for a Winchester 308 Bolt Action XCR. Tickets are $5 each, five for $20 or ten for $35.
They are hoping to set up at the funeral home parking lot on November 7 or 8 to sell tickets, or contact any members to get or purchase tickets at the Hunters Dinner.
The drawing will be held on November 15 at the dinner and one does not have to be present to win.
Event organizers welcome everyone to join them for a great dinner and much-needed community fellowship and support.
