Barbecue raises funds for Ferndale Fire

The Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department raised approximately $6,000 at its annual barbecue fundraiser Saturday.

"It went well. I don't think we sold us much this year as last, but what it does is it brings the whole station together to work toward one common goal. So to me, it's worth it right there," said Ken Sharr, assistant chief of the Ferndale department. "Making money is not the main goal here."

The barbecue, which has been held for about 10 years, is the only fundraiser for the Ferndale fire station. In years prior to the annual barbecue, funds were raised through the hosting of a lasagna feed and with quilt raffles.

"Fundraisers and volunteer fire departments go hand in hand," Sharr said. "It's a way for us to buy equipment that can't fit into our budget. We want to give a big heartfelt thanks to all of our friends and neighbors who have come out to support us throughout the years."

That support includes those that attended the barbecue as well as those who helped the firefighters put the event on.

The band Smoking Joes volunteers as the entertainment each year, and this year played for free from about 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

"They won't accept any money. They just do it out of the goodness of their hearts," Sharr said.

Prior to subtracting expenses for the event, the department's treasurer and secretary Jeanne White said that the barbecue grossed about $10,000.

Approximately 700 people ate at the barbecue, which cost $7 for adults and $4 for children 6 and under and included a buffalo burger, side salads, drinks, cake and ice cream.

"It's the one event that Ferndale has every year that everyone gets to see each other at," Sharr said

About $2,600 was garnered from the sale of 53 donated items in the silent auction at the barbecue. Additional funds were also gained through monetary donations.

"The generosity of people that made extra donations was really wonderful in this time of financial stress," White said. "People were very generous above and beyond the cost of their dinners and the people that donated items for the auction were very generous as well."