Master of Ceremonies Del Bittle shares a moment with firefighters from the West Bradford Fire Company, during a special event Saturday to honor local volunteer firefighters.
EAST MARLBOROUGH — Hundreds of local residents, elected officials and community members came together Saturday night to honor local volunteer firefighters serving a number of local towns at a special, highly-attended fundraising event.
The fire companies— Po-Mar-Lin, Longwood, West Bradford and Modena — were recognized and thanked for their service to the community at a party and fundraiser held at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Unionville. The party/fundraiser was the idea of the Newlin Township Fire and Emergency Services Committee which serves under the auspices of the Board of Supervisors of Newlin.
Although the event was a sold-out fundraiser, the committee invited firefighters from the four companies to be their guests at the event.
Members of the Modena Fire Company are honored during the ceremony.
Fifty firefighters joined with 300 or so residents of the community for the celebration which included food prepared by students of the Chester County Intermediate Unit Culinary Arts Department, live music provided by the Jimi’s Not Home band, a live and also silent auction and a raffle of two items provided by local local artists, Buddy Obara and Doug Mooberry.
A wide range of auction items furnished by local businesses and community members including an original oil painting by Newlin resident Bill Ewing, golf outings, golf lessons, an airplane ride, septic service, car inspection and oil change, meals, painting by Newlin resident Janeice Silberman and pottery by Pat Mooberry were among the many well received items. The Unionville Fair Queen, Catherine Stookey, and Court provided able and entertaining assistance to the auctioneer, Robert Borgstrom, a partner of Newlin resident Bob Feathers’ Appraisals & Auction Management Company, who contributed their services.
Master of Ceremonies Del Bittle (left) honors the Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company, during the ceremony.
Six fire engines and trucks were in the parking lot for residents, especially the 40 children present, to check out while under the watchful eyes of firefighters, parents and volunteers. Local Boy Scout troop 22 provided assistance with parking and Local Girl Scout Troop 41865 provided assistance with food distribution during the festivities. Local wineries, Stargazers, Paradocx, Galer and Flickerwood contributed the wine for the event and Victory Brewing donated the beer.
The West Bradford Fire Company is honored during the ceremony.
Local musician Del Bittle was the Master of Ceremonies. The community cheerfully raised over $15,000 (after expenses) which will be distributed to the volunteer fire companies, as a further show of residents’ appreciation.
This shows a chance to honor some of our most courageous firefighters, including the volunteers..