SP Fire Fighters Association honored for generous community support

April 09, 2014
Santa Paula News

 Santa Paula Fire also puts out the flames of pressing need that can burn out youth programs as shown at a recent City Council meeting where the Firefighters Association was thanked for a generous donation.

At the March 17 meeting Interim Community Services/Recreation Direction Ed Mount presented Santa Paula Fire Fighters Association President Andy VanSciver-accompanied by Fire Chief Rick Araiza and an engine company-with an oversized framed photo of the youth basketball uniform sporting #1.

Noting the color of the shirt, “We didn’t do this on purpose,” joked Mount, “this is what the real color is this year,” green, which also represents the cash raised by the association and donated to the program.

“We thank you for all you did for the youth,” the 350 girls and boys in 1st to 8th grades that Mount said participate in youth basketball.

He told the council that the association “Provides us with a barbecue fundraiser, firefighters supply all the food and the manpower and we sell the tickets,” keeping 100 percent of the proceeds.

Mount noted, “This year we sold more than 534 tickets, it was really a great fundraiser that helps defray the costs,” of officials, uniforms, equipment and facility rental the program requires.

The fundraiser was a great success even if it occurred, “On the only day it rained the whole year... “

Mount credited staff and volunteers, including the more than 40 coaches that worked with the teams and who are “Real role models for the children... “

“We’re really humbled by this gesture... our goal is to help the youth of the community,” said VanSciver.

And the association reaches that goal by staging an annual golf tournament that in turn raises the funds to purchase the food and provide the resources for the fundraising barbecues.

Mayor Rick Cook noted his own granddaughter takes part in the youth basketball program and without the generosity of the association that program-and many others-would suffer.

Such activities and the support of the firefighters’ “Makes a huge difference in our community,” said Councilman Ralph Fernandez.

Araiza also offered “kudos to the association... each barbecue is 100 percent profit to each program,” it benefits including 4-H Clubs and the Santa Paula High School and Isbell Middle School band programs.

Beneficiaries of the SPFFA barbecues, noted Araiza, make about $5,000 per event, “Clear profit for them as we take our golf tournament money,” to fund the barbecues.

Said Councilman Martin Hernandez, “I thank the association, the first organization that supported the Santa Paula Family Resource Center 14 years ago... and also last year the Military Banner Program.

“Thanks to them,” Hernandez said, “we are able to replace those banners that are torn and worn so we can (respectfully) honor those that served.”





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