S.A.V.E.S. Event Raises Money for Meadows Valley Emergency Services
A total of $59,000 (minus expenses) was raised for Meadows Valley Rural Fire District last weekend. On Saturday, July 6, S.A.V.E.S. (Support All Volunteer Emergency Services) served a delicious Tri Tip and BBQ chicken dinner, and had many raffle/auction items. The fundraiser was a huge success. FF/EMT Johnny Brown said, “There were a lot of little items going for a lot of money! People were just throwing money at us!” The biggest money maker of the night was a metal Fire Department sign made by Cody Clark of Clark’s Custom Fabrication. It sold four times and made $9,500! Other items also hit the thousands such as a kid size play firehouse went for over $3,000. Four quilts were auctioned, all making over $400 each. (There is a list of everyone that donated to this fundraiser on the Fire Department’s Facebook page: Meadows Valley FD) Businesses and individuals from New Meadows, Council, McCall, Riggins and even from Ontario. Boise, Lewiston and more!
Many people helped in ways other than donating items. Every member of the department helped with set up, organizing, cleaning up, etc. The auctioneer, Luke Nolte, provided his services for half price. Meadows Valley School contributed the use of their kitchen and lent some chairs. Council Fire Department also provided chairs. Another person that donates time year round is their volunteer grant writer, Stephanie Garino.
The food was prepared by Chairman of the Board, Keith Westengaurd, his son Jason, and friend Mike Mullicen, Amanda Branstetter, Stephanie Garino, Lieutenant Lucas Nicholson, FF/EMT’s Becky Davis, Nikki Buys, Leandra Smith, Samantha Wittell and served by Captain Justin Peterson and FF Cody Day. Many people were commenting on how good the dinner was and seconds were even served so no one went home hungry. For dessert, there were three different scrumptious flavors of cake, donated by Sue Foster.
Fire Chief Doug Buys gave a little speech before the auction began, He said he has the best job in the world, not because of what he does, but because of who he does it with. The men and women volunteering for the department are “the most passionate, hard working, down to earth, loving people you’ll ever meet. We are so lucky to have these people.” He went on to say that “they go through long hours of training, have all night calls, and see things that no person should have to see and they do it for you.”
Doug also thanked SIMRA (Southern Idaho Mud Racing Association) for coming up to put on the Mud Drags that happened the next day. TB Construction made the track and gave the use of their water wagon, not to mention donated two loads of rock for the auction. And thank you to 208 Construction for the use of a skid steer.
All proceeds from the Mud Drags went to MVRFD. People came from as far as Elko to race. And from our own neighborhood, Doug and Darrin Buys, Brad and Bradley Steiner, Lucas Nicholson and Jake Hendrix took part. Rules were explained by Fire Chief Buys before the race. These people are volunteering their time to put this on so he didn’t want any complaining. There’s no alcohol, no drugs and seat belts are to be worn by everyone. Any items that bounce out of your cab means automatic disqualification. Anything loose on your truck that falls off also means disqualification. There are two tracks. Each racer gets a chance on each track. Lastly, pick up your trash for the people nice enough to let us use this land, Angie and Rob Ellsworth of Finite Concepts, LLC. Race classes were Pro Mod, Pro Stock, Super Stock, Pro Diesel, Powder Puff Pro, Powder Puff Pro Diesel, Street Legal, Diesel, Powder Puff, UTV, High School and Mud Bog. The announcer was the auctioneer from the night before, Luke Nolte. SIMRA announced at the end of the day how much fun they had, thanked everyone for coming out and said hopefully they can come again next year if they can find a venue, since a housing project is being built on the spot used the last few years. The total earned for the whole weekend was a whopping $59,000! (minus expenses) MVFD is buying a UTV for Search and Rescue with money made this year. Thanks to everyone for making this possible!
