Thanks to the generosity of the public the MST Fire Department will now be able to replace their 20 year old bunker gear.
The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By Shirley Linder, Quill Editor
Thanks to the generosity of the public the MST Fire Department will now be able to replace their 20 year old bunker gear.
A 90% - 10% matching grant from FEMA in the amount of approximately $67,000 has been received by the MST Fire Department. The volunteer firemen wanted to assist the district by raising the department's share of approximately $6,700. They were overwhelmed and very appreciative when the total amount raised came to almost $10,000.
The firemen solicited 71 prizes from merchants and sold 1186 tickets at $5 each for a drawing. The total merchandise given away was valued at $2500. They also held a BBQ pork sandwich meal, serving approximately 250 customers.
The proceeds will be used for new bunker gear for each of the 32 volunteers in the department. Bunker gear consists of a jacket, pants, helmet, boots and gloves. The jacket and pants cost $1200 each with the helmet, boots and gloves extra.
The department also intends to purchase a special washer and dryer to wash the turn out gear. At present they spray each other with the hose to remove the excess dirt and then have to hang the gear up soaking wet.
The 2003 and 2004 grant requests to FEMA were written by Gary Kline and were successful each time. Last year's grant allowed the department to get more additional needed equipment such as a compressor for the air tanks, an infra red camera and sixteen 2-way radios.
MST Drawing Winners
Winners Saturday of the MST Fire Department's Fundraiser drawing included:
Vancil Locker Service and Mark and Sara Lefler-1/2 hog processed and packaged-Calvin Covert; Cole's Photography-photo package/certificate-Zoe Peterson; Doran Insurance-13" TV with VCR-Pam Newberry;
Stronghurst Mutual Insurance-Indian Chief wall hanging-C.E. Johnson; Lange Chiropractic-examine and 2 adjustments-Joe Dehner and Chandra Woodberry; Bank of Stronghurst-rechargeable drill set-Rex Mynatt; Novak Tools-hunting knife-Eva Link;
Mirror Image Detailing-auto detailing-Jan Watson; R & M Distributing-A C Delco prize pack-Sherry Gullberg;
Security Savings Bank-auto travel package-Gary Carr; Country Insurance-Auto travel package-Matthew Gibb;
Bi-County Insurance-DVD player-Mitch Cook; Snap On Tools-battery tool set-Tammy Postle; Snap On Tools-screw driver/knife set-Art Kane; Heap Ag Service-weather radio-Larry Russell; Cole Implement-toy tractor-Kathleen Pepper;
Hopson's Sales-toy tractor-Larry Thompson; RIVERLAND F.S.-gasoline certificate-Tiffany Magner; Eva Link-Sharp VCR-Janis Link; Mary Lee Taylor-hand painted winter painting-Dale Marray;
Great River Power Sports-gift certificate-Murl Johnson; Hend Co Hills-2 rounds of golf-Richard Lutz; Country Auto Sales-oil change-Mike Neff, Terry Myers, Caleb Dowell and Sally Luder; Quilted Uniques-quilted items-Jason Carnes;
Car Quest Auto Parts-12 quarts motor oil-Ken Maxwell; Bank of Biggsville-$50 savings bond-Dave Lee; Wal-Mart-gift certificate-Valerie Holman;
Bob's TV-gift certificate-Lisa Jacobs; Peterson's Garage-gift certificate-Curt Eisenmayer and Steve Hull; Bygones & Buds-gift certificate-Rick McHaffy;
Fisher's Food-10# hamburger bundle-Marissa Gibb, Bryan Smith, Larry Dowell, Jim Stamp and Chrissy Smith;
Raritan State Bank-U.S. Flag-Russ Gardner; Eva Link-queen size quilt-Ken Davis;
M.S.T. Fire Department-clock radio-Ron Manuel; Stronghurst Implement-John Deere semi truck-Dylan Klossing;
Valley Oil-clock-Gary Gibb; Henderson County Quill-1 year subscription-David Jack;
Wisslead Oil-gasoline certificate-Lee Klossing; Raritan State Bank-thermometer/clock-Terry Shrader; Shop Ko-smoke detector-Vicki Maddox; Decorating Made Easy-vase-Marjory Barber; Car Quest Auto Parts-collector car-Eric Hausknecht;
Mutual Wheel Co., tool set and mug-Troy Jern; M.S.T. Fire Department-remote control car-Heather Hicks; Decorating Made Easy-candle lamp-Volney Evans;
Del's Barber Shop-2 haircuts-Rita Ferguson; Doran Insurance-Road Atlas-Mert Flatt and Leslie Edenburn;
Candle From Country-scented candles-Cory Scott; Stronghurst Vet Clinic-dog food- Chuck Vaughn and Paul Corzatt; Clear Channel Radio-Bee Gee Music CD-Terri Gittings;
Jo Jo's Korner-gift certificate-Tom Crotts; Broadway Cafˇ-gift certificate-Leon Johnson, Laura Symmonds, Evelyn Palmer; Country Fun-gift certificate-Wendell Fox and Doug Wordsworth;
Car Quest Auto Parts-cable come along-Linda Eisenmayer; A.B.C. Fire Ext.-smoke detector-Mandy Flakes;
Juanita Jarvis-bird house-Richard Knutstrom and Lynn Ragar.
Other contributors included: Village of Stronghurst;
Raritan State Bank;
Dr. Robert Pogue;
C. R. and Karen Peasley;
Stronghurst Grain;
Steve Walters;
The Antiquity;
Stronghurst Auto Body;
Gullberg Farms;
Thompson Insurance;
Crop Production Service;
Plate Services;
Nickson Tire;
Mike Neff; Fox Tire;
Ed Symmonds;
Gary Jarvis;
Craftsman Press;
Country Auto Sales
and Chris Cook.
Tickets will be sold for a blue and white basketball autographed by the Southern Rebels and the Southern Belles basketball teams at the Rebel basketball game on Friday, February 11th.
Proceeds will go to the MST Firemen.