S.A.V.E.S. The Day Holds Annual Fundraiser and Dinner
Prizes from over 95 donors were auctioned off at the Meadows Valley Fire S.A.V.E.S. The Day event on Saturday, July 5. Attending guests enjoyed dinner, raffle prizes, and community. The event had a great turnout and an incredible amount of support shown by the amount of donors and attendees.
Event supporters showed up for a delicious dinner, raffle, and live auction. Gift cards, certificates, items for children, plus beautiful art and craft items were among donated prizes. The auction being a large part of the event, Meadows Valley Fire extended an apology after the event for the speakers not working well and pledged to work on improving the system for next year.
S.A.V.E.S. (Support All Volunteer Emergency Services) The Day is the major fundraiser each year for Meadows Valley Fire & EMS. This year they raised $56,000. The department generally uses the money raised for any needed equipment such as turnouts, bullet proof vests, and supplies.
This year, they specifically look to purchase a gear washer extractor. The department has a washer for their turnouts, the large protective clothing they wear in emergencies, but they have not had something for washing other gear such as helmets, packs, boots, and gloves. Firefighters come into contact with soot, debris, and other carcinogenic substances and this machine helps reduce the amount of harmful chemicals our first responders encounter as well as extends the lifespan of their gear.
As part of these fundraising efforts, Meadows Valley Fire & EMS also recognized the needs of their fellow firefighters recently involved in the tragic attack in Coeur d’Alene on June 29. $3,743 raised in the Fill the Boot Campaign will be split between memorial funds to Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison, Jr. and Kootenai County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, as well as the support fund for Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Engineer Dave Tysdal who is still hospitalized in critical condition. Visit iaff.org/Idaho-Lodd/ if you would like to add donations to these funds.
