NORTH FORK – The mission of the North Fork Fire Department Auxiliary is to raise money to equip Station 11 firefighters with items and gear not provided by the County or Cal Fire. So when a $20,000 check arrived in the mail recently, it was cause for celebration.
The very generous gift was from the Larry L. Hillblom Foundation. Janice Quistad, a Captain’s Circle member of the Auxiliary, is on the board of the foundation and made the recommendation, says Auxiliary Past-President Sandy Chaille.
The Hillblom Foundation is funded by a bequest from the late Mr. Larry L. Hillblom, a respected international businessman and one of the founders of DHL Worldwide Express. Ms. Quistad has requested that these funds be used for equipment and supplies, along with supporting the new fire station, that was dedicated on May 10, 2013.
The Auxiliary will take on the enviable task of determining how the money will be spent, with input from Station 11 firefighters and Cal Fire, at their next regular meeting on Oct. 5.
The community is invited to join the Auxiliary and lend support to our local Madera County firefighters. They meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month (except during the summer months) in the CDC conference room at the old mill site in North Fork. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, call Sandy or Barb at 559-877-7796.
On another matter, Madera County Fire Department Station 10 in Yosemite Lakes Park is hosting their annual Open House on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Also, the Ladies of the Lakes will be serving a Rigitoni Dinner at the YLP Clubhouse on Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m., to support firefighters at Station 10.
