(Geronimo) – The Geronimo Volunteer Fire Department hopes you come to its rescue by buying any remaining tickets for this Saturday’s annual BBQ Plate Fundraiser.
Due to the pandemic, Fire Chief Michael Castro says the VFD has altered its annual fundraiser into a drive-thru event and seeks your support this weekend.
“Last year, we did about 750 plates. We would like to stay around that but we understand that in this difficult time, we are expecting to be lower than that honestly. But, we just wanted to keep some type of normalcy in the community and still have some type of event for people to still get out and do something in the community to help support the fire department as well,” said Castro.
Due to the changes in the event, the VFD is also promoting new hours in which residents can stop by and pick up their plates.
“We decided not to do a lunch like we normally would do. We would normally do that from 12 to 2 p.m. We had decided to not do that this year. The plate pick up starts at 11 and will go till 4 p.m. We are encouraging the community that if you’ve done pre-sold tickets to come between 11 and 2:30 p.m. that we can guarantee you a plate and then that way, it gives us another opportunity for people who want plates on site to purchase plates as well and we have enough food for them too,” said Castro.
In addition to its plate sale, Castro says the Geronimo VFD will also be selling tickets for its annual raffle.
“This year, we have decided not to do a silent auction (or) actual live auction so we have only decided to do a raffle ticket sale which they are still available at the fire station. We’ve had people there off and on throughout the day but definitely have somebody there after 5 p.m. and then also, you can get raffle tickets the day of the event. We are going to have lines there where if you want to get a raffle ticket, there will still be an opportunity for you to get it at that time and then we will have the live drawing of the raffle ticket at 5 p.m. via Facebook Live,” said Castro.
Included in the list of raffle prizes are several gift and cash cards ranging from $25 to $200. Top prizes also include a kayak and camping gear package valued at $350; a $200 gas grill and $250 worth of services at Kings Hwy Animal Clinic.
Tickets for the raffle are $2 each or six for $10.
Castro says each year, the Geronimo Volunteer Fire Department relies on this particular fundraiser to keep it in operation. He says this year is no different and hopes that the community not only comes out to support it but to also help celebrate a milestone for the department.
“Every year, we ask for support for the community. We do get funding from the county. Obviously, with the price of all of the equipment, items are not cheap. We are a non-profit organization. We do have to do fundraisers to help get equipment that we need that is either outdated or update our equipment or even add to our fleet on items. So far, we’ve been able to purchase a new used brush truck to help our fleet out. So, that will be the fifth apparatus that the Geronimo Fire Department has never had so adding that extra vehicle about a month ago, it will help out a lot going towards 2021 and moving forward. We are currently in the process of saving up for a renovation of our station as it does hit our 40th year anniversary this year,” said Castro.
BBQ plate tickets are $10 in person or $11.50 online. BBQ plates will be served at the Geronimo Community Center on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Again, tickets are available from any Geronimo VFD firefighter or at the fire station. They can also be purchased on the fire department’s Facebook page.