NORTH FORK – The North Fork Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary’s annual Tri-tip BBQ was a huge success on Saturday, Apr. 27, with over 340 tickets sold for the event.
The Auxiliary has spent the past nine years raising money for the needs of the local volunteer fire department, and setting aside funds for the new North Fork Fire Station #11, built this past year at the old mill site, and scheduled to be dedicated on May 10.“Everyone who came was very excited that the new station is ready to open.” said Linda Gott-Maddox, Auxiliary member who manned the tickets table. “It was non-stop through the day. We have never gone through the stack of tickets like we did yesterday!”
Along with lunch (and the Tri-tip was the best ever!), and an array of desserts offered by the Women’s Club, everyone was invited to participate in the silent auction and toss their tickets into the bags of their choice for a chance to win any of 87 prizes donated by local businesses, artists and residents.
The Auxiliary had bright red t-shirts and aprons (complete with handy pockets) designed to celebrate the completion of the new fire station. According to Nita Burbank who manages the inventory and handled sales on Saturday, BBQ-goers snapped up 39 of the new t-shirts and 21 aprons.
The NFVFD Auxiliary boasts 123 members, likely more than any service organization in town. President Sandy Chaille thinks it speaks to just how supportive the community is of this important addition to the town of North Fork. Two new sustaining members joined the ranks at the BBQ.
As they head into the home stretch before the dedication of Station #11, the North Fork Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary wishes to thank not only their members for all their hard work and contibutions of time and money over the years, but also The Buckhorn and Alice Koda, Cal Fire, the North Fork Community Development Council, the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians, Madera County, Ponderosa Telephone, the North Fork Volunteer Fire Department Company #11, and above all, the Citizens of North Fork!
Auxiliary members, firefighters and the crew who made it all happen at the BBQ – (left to right in a jumble) Brandi Capuchino-Mendoza and baby Risa Mendoza, Nita Burbank (hiding in the back), Angelica Capuchino, Kathy Myers, Sue Myers, Dave Myers, Rachel Rivera, Gene Harvey, Donna Wimer, Steve Buckner, Don Vasconcellos, Cindy Capuchino, Anthony Brown, Chaille Craig, Augie Capuchino, Quentyn Brown, Donna Vickrey, Abe Brown, Kayla Rohrbaugh, Sandy Chaille, Aliya Brown, Laura Rohrbaugh, Marianne Williams, Diann Miller, Barbara Colliander, Linda Gott-Maddox.
Volunteer firefighter Jere Miller is not listed in the photo, as he was at the new station conducting tours for about 30 visitors.
The dedication of North Fork Station #11 will be Friday, May 10, at 11 a.m. at 33400 Douglas Ranger Station Road on the Old Mill Site.
