More than 125 baskets of goodies will be up for auction at the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary’s Basket & Dessert Day on Sunday, Nov. 6. This is the ninth year for the fundraiser that benefits local families and charitable organizations. The event is held at the Lake George Firehouse on Ottawa Street. Admission is $10 and includes 25 auction tickets and desserts. Additional auction tickets may be purchased for $5 per sheet of 25. Attendance is limited to 200 people. The doors open at 12:30 p.m. and drawings begin at 2:30.
“The baskets are all donated and run from household items, kids’ games, holiday decorations …you name it. We have been doing this event since 2008; we never dreamed it would be this successful,” says Auxiliary President Beth Brundage. On average, says Brundage, the event raises between $4,000 and $6,000 dollars each year.
The Auxiliary uses the funds to help local families in need during the holidays, “…this may include, toys, food, winter coats, boots and clothing where needed,” says Brundage. “We also adopt senior citizens from our Senior Center here in Lake George. Items again include Gift cards to local supermarkets to help with food costs. We also give two Scholarships each year to two graduating seniors of the Lake George High School.”
This year the Auxiliary assisted a family that was displaced by fire and presented a Scholarship to the Charlotte McCue Memorial Scholarship. Charlotte McCue, 8-years-old, died in a boating collision this summer on Lake George. She was an enthusiastic gymnast, and her family created the Gymnastics Scholarship in her memory. The Auxiliary also uses funds raised to support Auxiliary members and firefighters suffering illness and loss.
The LGVFD Ladies Auxiliary was charted in 1946 and currently has 19 members; some have been serving for 68 years. They are committed to serving both the Department and the Lake George community. “As part of our commitment to our department,” says Brundage, “We provide for the firefighters a Fire Call Team in which our members respond to fire scenes and major incidents with needed supplies, meals and rehabilitation needed for them during those calls.”
Edrie Squires and Lori Combs serve as co-chairs, and they have been working since July to bring a wide assortment of baskets to the event. “It takes all our members, families and friends to continue this wonderful day,” says Brundage. “We have help from the members of our fire department getting the firehouse ready, and they support us in being part of the day. We also receive help from folks outside our Department and Auxiliary. For example, The Bay Ridge Fire Department loan us tables and chairs so we have enough for the day. It has become a community event that we are very proud of and allows us to help those families in our community throughout the year.”