Staff
A record-setting 492 people who attended Friday’s annual fish fry at Sunny Cove Camp helped push the Watten Volunteer Fire Department over its fundraising goal to purchase a used fire rescue truck.
After netting $5,500 at the fish fry, which saw folks chow down 170 pounds of fresh fish provided by Blaine Tucker, the department’s bank account is up to about $25,000, fire chief Chad Buist reported.
This amount has included many personal donations, as well as proceeds from a flea market held back in June.
On top of that, the department has raised $9,035 through its online “GoFundMe” campaign.
Altogether, this brings the department well above its $30,000 to buy the rescue truck, as well as help with its operating costs, which can be around $12,000 a year.
“The generosity and community support has been tremendous,” said Buist.
He noted the department has arranged for the purchase of a used truck–which was on display at the fish fry–and outfitted it with refurbished equipment from the previous vehicle to save on costs.
Devlin Auto has been completing the work.
The department hopes to have it in service by late October.
Its old fire truck was pulled off the road earlier this year because it didn’t pass a safety inspection.
Since then, the community has been raising funds for a new one.
