Chenango’s Fire Chiefs plan Firefighter Fund event
SOUTH NEW BERLIN – Whether it be a fire, flood, accident or medical emergency, Chenango County’s volunteer firefighters and emergency squad members are there to help their neighbors in their time of need. But who is there for the men and women of the emergency services when they are in their own hour of need?
Through the creation of the Chenango County Firefighter’s Fund, the Chenango County Fire Chief’s Association will soon have a means of doing just that.
“This is truly firefighters helping firefighters,” explained Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo, who serves as president of the organization which is comprised of current and past chiefs from across the county.
The group started the fund last year in conjunction with the Chenango County chapter of the Red Knights, a motorcycle club made up of firefighters and EMS members from Broome and Chenango counties.
“The Todd Harvey benefit is what started this,” Chawgo said, referring to a three-day fundraiser held in Oxford in October of 2009 in support of a young man stricken with an aggressive form of skin cancer.
While never himself a volunteer, the Oxford Fire Department considered Todd one of their own by virtue of the service of both his father, Bill, and his grandfather, Bill Sr. The benefit they orchestrated succeeded in raising thousands of dollars to help the Harvey’s cover medical and transportation expenses related to Todd’s treatment.
Sadly, Todd lost his battle with cancer a few months later. But his circumstances - and the way in which the Oxford and Greene communities rallied to provide support and financial assistance to the family - inspired the CCFCA and the Red Knights to lay the framework for a fund to help others faced with tragedy.
“While we all realize the time, dedication and sacrifice of our firefighters and emergency medical personnel, we also realize we need to be prepared to help and support our brothers and sisters in their time of medical crisis,” Chawgo said.
The organizations are currently in the process of building the fund and defining the criteria for how it can best be used to help those in need. On Saturday, July 30, the CCFCA will hold its second annual Firefighter’s Fundraiser Day, dedicated to raising money for the cause.
According to Chawgo, the event isn’t just for members of the fire service and their families. Instead it’s something he hopes the entire Chenango County community will come out and support.
“It’s a community event and we’d love to see the public there,” he said.
Last year, Sherburne hosted the event. This year, the South New Berlin Fire Department has stepped up to the plate. SNB Fire Chief Kevin Christian volunteered his department.
“We thought it would be good thing for the community,” said Christian, a third generation firefighter who became chief last year.
The day-long event will include a number of activities sponsored by different departments. The festivities will kick off with breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. at the South New Berlin Fire Station, sponsored by the Sherburne Fire Department.
The New Berlin Fire Department is organizing a nine-hole captain and crew golf tournament at Riverbend Golf Course. Flights will leave at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., with registration opening an hour before tee-off. The cost to participate is $120 per team of four, which includes greens fees, cart rental and lunch. Prizes will be awarded for the top three teams overall, as well as closest to the pin and longest drive for men and women on each shift. Hole sponsorships are available for $25 and $50. To register, become a sponsor or make a donation, contact Ken Wiggins at 847-8880, George Hanslmaier at 847-6480 or email k.wiggins@frontier.com.
Back in South New Berlin, the Brisben Fire Department will host a Cruise In from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Red Knights will host a Poker Run, which will start and end at the South New Berlin station. Cars, trucks and motorcycles are all welcome to participate.
The afternoon will include a number of activities for kids and families, including live entertainment, games, a dunking booth, bounce house and fire prevention displays. The Mount Upton Fire Department will sell food and beverages throughout the day, and Sundown will perform from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be more live music from 8 p.m. to midnight, after a live auction, which starts at 5 p.m. Tim Wakefield of the Oxford Fire Department will serve as auctioneer.
According to Christian and Wiggins, a number of area businesses have already stepped forward to support the event, including Agro Farma, McCredy Motors, NBT Bank, Preferred Mutual, Hannaford Bros., Northern Eagle Beverage and Golden Artist Colors. Sponsorships are still available, and additional auction items are needed.
“Any donations for the auction are greatly appreciated,” Christian said.
Items can be dropped off at the South New Berlin Fire Station. For more information, contact Christian at 859-2653.
Through the creation of the Chenango County Firefighter’s Fund, the Chenango County Fire Chief’s Association will soon have a means of doing just that.
“This is truly firefighters helping firefighters,” explained Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo, who serves as president of the organization which is comprised of current and past chiefs from across the county.
The group started the fund last year in conjunction with the Chenango County chapter of the Red Knights, a motorcycle club made up of firefighters and EMS members from Broome and Chenango counties.
“The Todd Harvey benefit is what started this,” Chawgo said, referring to a three-day fundraiser held in Oxford in October of 2009 in support of a young man stricken with an aggressive form of skin cancer.
While never himself a volunteer, the Oxford Fire Department considered Todd one of their own by virtue of the service of both his father, Bill, and his grandfather, Bill Sr. The benefit they orchestrated succeeded in raising thousands of dollars to help the Harvey’s cover medical and transportation expenses related to Todd’s treatment.
Sadly, Todd lost his battle with cancer a few months later. But his circumstances - and the way in which the Oxford and Greene communities rallied to provide support and financial assistance to the family - inspired the CCFCA and the Red Knights to lay the framework for a fund to help others faced with tragedy.
“While we all realize the time, dedication and sacrifice of our firefighters and emergency medical personnel, we also realize we need to be prepared to help and support our brothers and sisters in their time of medical crisis,” Chawgo said.
The organizations are currently in the process of building the fund and defining the criteria for how it can best be used to help those in need. On Saturday, July 30, the CCFCA will hold its second annual Firefighter’s Fundraiser Day, dedicated to raising money for the cause.
According to Chawgo, the event isn’t just for members of the fire service and their families. Instead it’s something he hopes the entire Chenango County community will come out and support.
“It’s a community event and we’d love to see the public there,” he said.
Last year, Sherburne hosted the event. This year, the South New Berlin Fire Department has stepped up to the plate. SNB Fire Chief Kevin Christian volunteered his department.
“We thought it would be good thing for the community,” said Christian, a third generation firefighter who became chief last year.
The day-long event will include a number of activities sponsored by different departments. The festivities will kick off with breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. at the South New Berlin Fire Station, sponsored by the Sherburne Fire Department.
The New Berlin Fire Department is organizing a nine-hole captain and crew golf tournament at Riverbend Golf Course. Flights will leave at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., with registration opening an hour before tee-off. The cost to participate is $120 per team of four, which includes greens fees, cart rental and lunch. Prizes will be awarded for the top three teams overall, as well as closest to the pin and longest drive for men and women on each shift. Hole sponsorships are available for $25 and $50. To register, become a sponsor or make a donation, contact Ken Wiggins at 847-8880, George Hanslmaier at 847-6480 or email k.wiggins@frontier.com.
Back in South New Berlin, the Brisben Fire Department will host a Cruise In from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Red Knights will host a Poker Run, which will start and end at the South New Berlin station. Cars, trucks and motorcycles are all welcome to participate.
The afternoon will include a number of activities for kids and families, including live entertainment, games, a dunking booth, bounce house and fire prevention displays. The Mount Upton Fire Department will sell food and beverages throughout the day, and Sundown will perform from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be more live music from 8 p.m. to midnight, after a live auction, which starts at 5 p.m. Tim Wakefield of the Oxford Fire Department will serve as auctioneer.
According to Christian and Wiggins, a number of area businesses have already stepped forward to support the event, including Agro Farma, McCredy Motors, NBT Bank, Preferred Mutual, Hannaford Bros., Northern Eagle Beverage and Golden Artist Colors. Sponsorships are still available, and additional auction items are needed.
“Any donations for the auction are greatly appreciated,” Christian said.
Items can be dropped off at the South New Berlin Fire Station. For more information, contact Christian at 859-2653.
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