Firemen’s dance slated Saturday
By Katie Pizza
Argus Observer
Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:25 AM PST
Ontario — Dancing and fire can be dangerous and foolhardy.
While there will be no fire, Ontario Fire & Rescue personnel hope plenty of area residents will be eager to dance the night away Saturday at the Oregon Army National Guard Armory during the 29th Annual Firefighter’s Benefit Dance.
“It will pay for volunteer training and some specialized equipment,” Ontario Fire & Rescue Chief Terry Mairs said.
Sponsors of the event said they hope the dance will generate $3,000 to $4,000 for OF&R and other area fire agencies.
Mairs said other purchases previous fundraisers were able to finance include such items as an ice rescue sled.
“It will also fund our burnout fund,” he said. “It provides money to families who have had fires. It helps them right off the bat.”
The burnout fund was the reason Roger Draper of Draper’s Outdoor Power Equipment said he chose to donate an item for a raffle that will be held at the event.
“We decided to help someone in need,” he said.
His raffle item, a weed trimmer worth $200, is among the prizes offered at the event.
The items range from a gift basket to a 32-inch flat screen television to a $500 gift certificate from the Diamond Gallery.
“We think it’s a good fundraiser, and it’s something we’ve done since they started the ball,” Coy Mott, owner of the Diamond Gallery, said.
Those not planning on attending the event are still able to purchase raffle tickets at City Hall for $1 each.
The raffle will not be the only game in town for the evening, however.
“We’ll have a couple of different decks of cards,” Chairman Brett Levitt said. “If you draw a one, you pay a dollar for the prize. We’ll have prizes like a home decor sofa table and a picture.”
Entertainment for the evening will be live music provided by “Smokin’ Guns.” The Redmond-based band, lead by Mark Fillman, is comprised of retired firefighters.
“They played for us last year, and they rocked,” Levitt said.
There will also be a bar and vegetable trays, meat kabobs and small fingerfoods to add to the atmosphere.
“We have a great time,” Levitt said.
