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WELCOME TO RIO GRANDE FIRE
COMPANY STATION 72 |
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Rio Grande Fire Company
Auxillary
The Rio Grande Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary was formed in 1927 with
the help of the Ladies of the Anglesea Fire Company Auxiliary with the main
purpose to support the Fire Company. The first president was Mrs. Emily Smith.
The Auxiliary is a very active organization. Fund raising activities in the past
have included minstrels, carnivals, bazaars, various suppers, creating and
selling cookbooks, and selling flowers at Easter time. Members today can be seen
raising funds working in the “Bingo Kitchen“, making hoagies different times
during the summer season, sponsoring trips to the Casinos or West Virginia,
holding Country Dances, and running the concession stand at the Waterball
Competition when it is hosted by Rio Grande Fire Company. Through these
fundraising efforts the Auxiliary has been able to support the fire company with
monetary donations to help build the new fire house, purchase the Jaws of Life
and its attachments, purchase items such as nozzles, fire hose, ladders, lights,
and radios. Monies were given to the Fire Company to refurbish the 1950 Mack
Fire Engine, to purchase the Bronze Axe plaque for the 65th Anniversary, and
towards the purchase of the planters at the Middle Township Performing Arts
Center in memory of the fallen firefighters of the Rio Grande Fire Company. In
addition to the above purchases the Auxiliary has raised funds to make
improvements to the fire house such as new carpet in the Bingo Hall, curtains,
new bathroom stalls, kitchen equipment, a Memorial Plague to hang the outside of
the fire house, and the decorations and flowers to maintain the planters in the
Performing Arts Center. This past year the Auxiliary has been able to replace
lighted announcement sign out front of the firehouse.
The members of the Auxiliary not only support the Fire Company with monetary
donations. Today the members can be seen serving fire fighters hot and cold
beverages, ice packs, and donuts at major fires and calls during the day or even
in the middle of the night. The first response of the Auxiliary “Coffee
Wagon” was at a tanker accident at the Wildwood Water Works on Route 47.
Another purpose of the Auxiliary is to support the community. Yearly donations
are made to The American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, and The Burn
Foundation. During Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays food certificates to
Shop-Rite are given to families in need, gifts are distributed to shut-ins of
the community, and presents are purchased for children whose names are on the
Sharing Trees at K-Mart or Ames. The Auxiliary also helps families in the fire
district who have been burnt out of their homes by donating money, clothing, and
food items.
In 1944 the Auxiliary entertained our Service Men as they came home from the
war. The fire whistle was blown every time a soldier stepped off the train. In
1989, after Hugo hit the Carolinas, the Fire Company and Ladies Auxiliary
started a local fund drive along with other local fire companies. A donated
U-haul truck was filled with fire coats, boots, bunkers, air bottles, helmets,
hose, and other such items and transported south where many new friends were met
in Williamsburg County and Manning, South Carolina. Just like with any
organization work is not the only thing the Auxiliary does. In 1982, the women
of the Auxiliary purchased uniforms so that they could march in the NJ State
Fireman’s Association parade. In 1984 the Ladies received a trophy for “Best
in State for Auxiliaries”. Because of the fun that was had by all that
participated activities were increased to include participation in the local
Christmas parades. Each year a float is prepared with a holiday theme, which
will allow the children of the Fire Company and Ladies Auxiliary to also join in
the fun.
Since the first meeting held on November 23, 1927 supporting the firefighters
and members of the community of Rio Grande has been the Auxiliary’s first
priority. We are proud of our success over the years and plans to continue and
grow stronger every year are always foremost in our minds. Why not come visit
us, you may want to join. The Auxiliary meets at the Rio Grande firehouse every
2nd Monday of the month except for July and August at 8:00 p.m. If you would
like more information you can call 886-1422, leave your name and number and
someone will get back to you, or you could fill in the form on the next page and
someone will get back to you.
RIO GRANDE FIRE
COMPANY
AUXILIARY MEMBERS
2005 OFFICERS
President: Crystal
Neill
Vice President: Amy Kersch
Secretary: Doris Wisting
Treasurer: Kathy Belles
Trustee:
Anne Hoffert
Trustee: Suzanne Parker
Trustee: Karen Sweeten
Active Members
| Altman,
Jessica |
Hoffert,
Ann (Honorary) |
| Parker,
Suzanne |
Belles,
Kathleen |
| DeHaven, Sue |
Belles,
Virginia (Honorary) |
| Porch,
Carol (Honorary) |
Cornett,
Linda |
| Malinowski,
Connie |
Sweeten,
Karen |
| Vanartsdalen,
Terri |
Stiltner,
Sandra |
| Johnson,
Rachel |
Szychulda,
Denise
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| Wisting,
Doris (Honorary) |
Hallman,
Eleanor (Honorary) |
| Malinowski,
John |
Krogman,
Sandy |
| Foster,
Sherri |
Kersch, Amy |
| Christine
Woytsek |
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Honorary Members
| Belles,
Virginia
| Hand,
Sophie |
| Jordan,
Irene
| Cinowski,
Mary |
| Heathcote,
Dot
| Kelloran,
Bett |
| Cresse,
Gene
| Henry,
Catherine |
| Mattera,
Rose
| Cresse,
Lucille |
| Hildreth,
Clara
| Mauer,
Jean |
| Cresse,
Marion
| Himstedt,
Elsie |
| McCarty,
Jeanette
| Cresse,
Mary |
| Hocker,
Ethel
| McPherson,
Della |
| Forsythe,
Joan
| Hocker,
Mary |
| Porch,
Carol
| Gilbert,
Helen |
| Hoff, Ann
| Sewell,
Leona |
| Griner,
Mrs.
| Hoff,
Anna |
| Watts,
Doris
| Hallman,
Eleanor |
| Hoffert,
Anna
| Wisting,
Doris |
Neill,
Crystal
| Hoffman,
Viola
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