The Board of Supervisors honored the Penn Valley Fire Auxiliary for its remarkable fund-raising accomplishments.
In January, the auxiliary presented a record-setting check for $250,000 to the department for its vehicle and equipment fund. That followed an earlier achievement when the group donated $178,000 to purchase a much-needed replacement ambulance.
“It shows you what volunteerism can do,” said Supervisor Sue Hoek, who represents Penn Valley, at the Feb. 25 Board meeting. “Funding for fire departments is challenging. If we didn’t have our auxiliary, we wouldn’t have near the equipment that is demanded for this day and age.”
Other supervisors praised the auxiliary for its work. “What a model for how to support your local fire department,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Heidi Hall. “This is the way it’s done.”
The auxiliary raises money through its successful thrift store, which has been operating for six decades behind Fire Station 43. The store is run solely by volunteers – more than 60 of them - who volunteer a minimum of one day a week.
The group has paid for fire engines, water tenders (vehicles designed to transport large quantities of water to a fire), command vehicles and more.
Penn Valley Fire Chief Don Wagner told the Board of Supervisors that the auxiliary provides invaluable help to fire victims. “When they’ve suffered a loss, …we take them to the thrift store day or night, open the door and say ‘take what you want,’” he said. “That’s a huge service that most of the community does not know that we have available and it’s only because of all their work.”
The Penn Valley Fire Auxiliary Thrift Store is at 10514 Spenceville Road. The store is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Donations are accepted until 3 p.m. For more information, call 530-432-2195 or visit www.pennvalleyfire.com.