Ladies Auxiliary of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company Celebrates 50 Years of Service

As the fire company was beginning to form and take shape, a group of concerned ladies from the community felt the need to assist and support the volunteer fire company and decided to form a Ladies Auxiliary.

After much research and preparation, the groundwork for the first official meeting of the Ladies Auxiliary was developed and held on January 7, 1954, at the home of prospective member, Evelyn Morris.  During this meeting, the ladies utilized BY-LAWS of other existing auxiliaries and the county associations for review and guidance to create BY-LAWS for their own auxiliary organization.  These BY-LAWS were drafted and adopted at the time of this meeting in January 1954.

An election of Ladies Auxiliary officers was held and our first officers being:

President – Emily Colebourn

Vice President – Daisey Pride

Secretary – Ivah Hastings

Assistant Secretary – Grace Tate

Treasurer - Louise Wilkins

Assistant Treasurer – Angela Birl

These inaugural officers were installed by the State Association President – Mary Uhler on January 26, 1954 at the Spear’s Store located in Oak Orchard  http://www.irvfc.com/gallery/detail?id=33404. 

The Ladies Auxiliary Charter Membership for enrollment was closed on April 8, 1954 with fifty-three (53) members being accepted.

Auxiliary meetings were held the second Wednesday of each month in the homes of members until May 1954 at which time the meetings were transferred to the new fire house in Oak Orchard.

Dedication of the original fire house was held on May 22, 1954 and the Ladies Auxiliary assisted the fire company during this affair http://www.irvfc.com/gallery/detail?id=33407.

The first large Ladies Auxiliary fundraiser was held in March 1954 and included a chicken ‘n dumpling and oyster dinner which was held at the VFW Hall in Millsboro.

Over the next 25 years (1954-1979), the Ladies Auxiliary tried many projects to raise funds which included selling air fresheners, shampoo, stainless steel cutlery, cards, handbags and vanilla.  These ladies also held bake sales, food sales, dinners, dances, ice cream festivals, and conducted the concessions at the weekly BINGO event until discontinuance.  Some of these efforts were extremely successful and some were not.

As the next 25 years proceeded (1979- 2004), we began to experience many changes.  The weekly BINGO events were discontinued.  The development of an extremely successful Easter Candy project developed and flourished for approximately thirteen (13) years.  One of the most successful endeavors which continues today was a monthly breakfast buffet from Mother’s Day in May thru September.   In 2004, these events were expanded to encompass breakfast events from April thru October of each year.  The Ladies Auxiliary also coordinated caterings, item raffles, and annual Longaberger Basket BINGO as well as Vera Bradley Handbag BINGO.  The chicken 'n dumpling dinners have returned to Indian River's arsenal of fundraising initiatives and caters to sell-out crowds during many of the events.

During the past 25 years, the fire company building expanded in many ways.  The Main Station (Orchard Road) expanded to include a meeting room, new bathrooms, and a much-needed pantry space for the Ladies Auxiliary.  In the 2002-2003-time frame, an extensive overhaul expansion project commenced to incorporate new drive through engine bays for the housing of firefighter equipment and convert the old engine bays into a much needed and awaited social hall.

Proceeds from the Ladies Auxiliary fundraising efforts were provided to purchase much needed equipment and supplies for firefighting.  A utility transport vehicle was purchased for use by both the fire company and auxiliary to transport personnel.  Additionally, kitchen equipment, tables and chairs for the social hall were procured.

During the 2007 calendar year, an extensive demolition and renovation project commenced for the complete restoration of the current bathrooms, kitchen, former meeting room and lounge area, as well as the pantry of the Ladies Auxiliary. This project was completed in November 2007 and has completely overhauled the bathroom, kitchen and pantry facilities into a comprehensive kitchen environment that will serve the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company extremely well in the future.

Throughout the years, the Ladies Auxiliary have constantly supported the fire company endeavors with activities that included but not limited to fundraising, corporate affairs, state and county affairs.  The Ladies Auxiliary also prepares food for events, functions, emergency incidents, special projects, alarms such as storms and inclement weather and other fire related disasters.

In 2004, the Ladies Auxiliary hosted compliment of 18 active members and 17 life members with one of the current life members also being a Charter Member - Anamae Rogers.  During this same period, there were several Ladies Auxiliary Life Members that had uninterrupted service dating back to 1967.

The Ladies Auxiliary if very proud of their organization and continues to support the local fire company and firefighters to promote social welfare between the fire company and community.

This 50th Anniversary Celebration Event hosted a catered recognition dinner for the Ladies Auxiliary Members and other invited dignitaries and guest.  The event itinerary included:

• Pledge of Allegiance

• Invocation

• Recognition Dinner

• Introduction of Guest

• Recognition Presentation for

  • Charter Members

  • Life Members

  • Past Presidents

• Benediction.