2025 Fireman’s Ball Raises over $11,000
Council Valley Fire hosted their 15th annual Fireman’s Ball on Saturday evening April 5th. The event was a huge success despite having a slightly lower attendance due to the temporary closure of Highway 95. This year 218 meals were served compared to previous years when the event would sell out at 250. Regardless of the lower numbers, the auction did better than expected and raised $11,692 for the local Burnout Fund. Luke Nolte did an amazing job running the auction and was a huge factor in the auction doing as well as it did.
All the money raised from the auction goes directly to the Burnout Fund. The Burnout Fund provides immediate assistance to those who have urgent needs, such as food, shelter and clothing when their homes are destroyed by fire.
Shawn Stanford, the Fire Chief saw the need for a Burnout Fund when he moved to Council in 1999. He previously lived in Montana where the Fireman’s Ball was a yearly event that he enjoyed attending with his wife. He got the idea to host a local Fireman’s Ball here in Council and use the proceeds towards a Burnout Fund. The first 3 years of the Fireman’s Ball, Stanford and his wife did all the cooking themselves. Each year the attendance grew and by the 4th year, the Fireman’s Ball was able to support itself. Now it is in its 15th year and is well known and the community looks forward to it yearly.
Along with raising money for the Burnout fund, this year the Fireman’s Ball also raised money to support David Briscoe and his family while he continues to recover from the accident he had at the saw mill. Each table had a cowboy boot in the middle with David’s story taped to it. $1,679.00 was put in the boots and 100% of that money goes directly to David. It’s a true miracle that he is alive and it will be a long road to a full recovery.
The event provided food catered by S&A Catering, a live auction, a silent auction and dancing to music played by Winewood. It started at 6:00 p.m. and lasted until midnight. The food was excellent, the auction was lively and the dancing was great fun. It was a fantastic way to come together as a community, supporting each other while having a good time. “Community working together is a beautiful thing”, was something Stanford said and there’s a lot of truth to that.
Stanford would like to offer his thanks to Crissy Gipe, who did everything and more to make the Fireman’s Ball a success. The Office Bar for providing refreshments. S&A Catering for providing the food. Luke Nolte for being the auctioneer. Julie Bagot for all her assistance. Winewood for the musical entertainment. The high school football team for setting up and cleaning up. All the firemen for their hard work and dedication. Lastly, thanks to the community for all your support and making the Fireman’s Ball a huge success.
