“Once. Twice. Three times…sold!” rang the auctioneer voice of fire chief Mr. Chad Dixon, gesturing enthusiastically in the direction of someone other than myself.
Rats. Outbid fair and square. I really wanted that item too. After all, who wouldn’t get a kick from an airplane joy ride high above Rabun County in the depths of spring?
But that’s how it goes at the annual Tallulah-Persimmon volunteer fire department BBQ fundraiser.
This year’s event took place March thirty-first, at where
else - but the sturdy firehouse itself. Polished to a glorious shine the
station’s arsenal of trucks patiently waited outside, grabbing gravel during
the affair. Their home temporarily parlayed into a party venue. And what an
amazing event fireman and organizer, Mr. Tom Madison Sr., created.
Old and young gathered together
under a big blue sky, American flag waving overhead. Thanks to The Foxfire
Boys, mountain tunes tickled the crowd as the scent of BBQ punctuated the air.
Several ladies broke out in dance as we all clapped along. It was a festive
atmosphere almost belying the gravity of the event. Each of Rabun County’s
twelve volunteer fire stations needs every dime they can get.
“Raised funds go primarily toward life support equipment,” Mr. Madison informed me. “We’re in critical need of pagers, portable radios and breathing apparatus.” He also explained the importance of a solid ISO rating: a ranking system that gauges a community’s fire-fighting capabilities. Ratings are based on several criteria: well-trained fire fighters, proper equipment and adequate supplies of water.
“ISO ratings effect citizens directly. Great scores equal lower rates for home insurance,” Mr. Madison continued. “A couple of years ago Rabun County received an upgraded rating. It’s in everyone’s best interest to maintain that quality.”
Think of it as a help-me-help-you kind of thing. Attend fund-raiser, eat BBQ, enter raffle, bid on auction items, raise money, lower insurance rates, sleep well, eat more BBQ. If properly orchestrated it all comes full-circle, like a well-played Seinfeld episode.
This year’s auction and raffle prizes alone were something to get excited about. Just ask Mr. Kenny Walker, who strolled away with a $500 Wal-Mart gift card. Not to be out done, pastor Kevin Hurt won a $500 Ingles gift card. Go in peace. Reeves Hardware donated a serious looking riflescope, but I was more taken with the gorgeous leather ottoman offered up by Timpson Creek Gallery. I didn’t win that either. Mr. Madison’s daughter-in-law Jennifer, was the high bidder on that piece. Her feet are probably comfortably propped-up on it this very minute.
I did however come away with a
hand-made bracelet and one oversized carrot cake. Plus, a newfound appreciation
for all this station does for the community. Approximately two hundred 9-1-1
calls are answered annually by the Tallulah-Persimmon department, working with
a current roster of only twelve volunteers. Their area of service covers the
Northwest region of Rabun County, including Lake Burton up to the North
Carolina state line.
Without a doubt my family will be
back in attendance at their BBQ fundraiser next year. We’ll be armed with
hungry bellies and a handful of cold hard cash. I’m already looking forward to
it. Next spring that airplane ride over Rabun County oh-so-generously donated
by Joan and Wayne Plaster, is oh-so mine.
https://sites.google.com/site/foxfireboys/
