With the help of several supporters from the community, Powderly VFD raised more than $9,200 during its weekend fundraiser with the help of the motorcycle club Liberty Syndicate.
According to Randi Johnson with Powderly VFD, the department raised more than $8,500. Liberty Syndicate’s President Mike Barnaby said the organization donated $720 after its first Fun Run in support of PVFD.
I am very appreciative of those who donated, it means a lot to us and the department to see the community come out and support our cause,” said Liberty Syndicate President Mike Barnaby. “We’re here for them and their support is everything.”
This fundraiser was not the department’s typical chili supper they run annually, and due to COVID, they were unable to do this year.
“So when conditions allowed us to be able to host an event, we decided to do something different, to hopefully ease us through smoothly for the rest of the year until our comeback chili supper in 2022,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the money raised during the weekend’s fundraiser goes toward the department – used for maintenance on apparatuses, gear, fuel, keeping the lights on at the station etc.
“The money will ensure our operations can continue to run and be able to serve the community of Powderly and Lamar County to the best of our ability,” she said. “Being a nonprofit organization, (PVFD) receives a majority of our funding through donations and fundraisers. When covid happened it was very uncharted territory with call volumes up and not able to fundraise. There is no denying many of us had concerns on what the future might look like.”
During its first Fun Run, local Riding Club Liberty Syndicate chose Powderly VFD to donate proceeds to.
“We were their first stop on their ride and we fed all the bikers and they got to see our station and meet us,” Johnson said. “We are extremely grateful they chose us on their first fun run. Every little bit helps.”
Johnson said the department is extremely grateful for the people and businesses who attended and supported the department – “we cannot thank them enough.
“Many locals of our community attended along with many of our elected officials who showed up to show support to our department,” she said. “We have not had the opportunity to gather like we always do in chili supper season, so we got to miss our ‘big family reunion.’”
She said the number of people to turnout was “humbling and wonderful.”
“As a department, we do not take for granted the support we receive. Without them we could not do what we love to do,” Johnson said.
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