Fireman’s Social - a Family Friendly New Year’s Eve Fundraiser
The New Year’s Eve Fireman’s Social, scheduled for December 31 at 6:00 p.m. at the Washington County Fairgrounds, promises to be a family friendly event supporting a worthy cause. This is the second year the event is being held on New Year’s Eve. The Fireman’s Social originally began as a way to raise funds for a new ambulance for the Cambridge Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Department. Even though the fire department was the recipient of a grant for the ambulance, funds were still needed to bridge the gap between the grant and the cost of the ambulance.
“It was 20-plus years old; it was just time to upgrade,” said Cambridge firefighter Jarrett Von Jess, who is also helping to organize the New Year’s Eve event. The new ambulance is a four-wheel drive vehicle that is capable of traversing rough terrain in outlying areas. The new ambulance will be on display at the New Year’s Eve event as a reminder to the community of their overwhelming support.
“The community showed up huge,” said Von Jess, remembering the first Fireman’s Social. This year’s Fireman’s Social will raise funds for essential personnel needs and equipment for Cambridge’s all-volunteer fire department.
The fire department currently operates with a roster of approximately 30 volunteer firefighters and six volunteer emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Von Jess pointed out that you do not have to be a firefighter to be an EMT, and the department is always looking for new recruits.
“It’s a great way to give back,” he said.
The Fireman’s Social will feature dinner, dancing, a raffle, and four high-end coolers full of “mystery items” to be auctioned. Dinner will consist of tri-tip, homemade macaroni and cheese, garlic bread, and caesar salad.
“It will be pretty scrumptious, “ said Von Jess, whose wife is helping with the cooking.
Music will be provided by the 1871 band who also played at Cambridge’s Hells Canyon Days. The doors open at 6:00 p.m. with dinner served around 7:00 p.m. The Office Bar will operate a no-host bar. The band will begin playing after dinner with dancing into the New Year.
“We’re expecting 150 to 200 people,” said Von Jess. “We want people to show up to celebrate the holidays and have a nice night.”
Tickets to the Fireman’s Social are available at the door and at Cambridge Lumber and Loveland’s General Store. Admission is $25 per person; $10 for children 12 and under.
