Last weekend was the annual fire hall auction held by the Onslow Belmont Fire Brigade. This annual Harvest Sale is an auction that sells items both large and small as donated by members and friends of the community. I love this auction. I look forward to it in a sensation that feels like a kid waiting for Christmas. You never know what is going to be there that you need. Or don’t need. Ahem. Oh by the way, He-of-the-good-ideas is one of the auctioneers. I absolutely love listening to him up on the podium! He’s quick and keen and his description of some items leaves me and many of those in attendance in stitches. When he was younger he was an active member of the fire hall; his father still is.
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| He-of-the-good-ideas and Johnny |
There are dressers (there was an awesome one that got away) and lamps (I bought one), an alphabet stamp set (complete... also mine), some truckloads of gravel (good deal if you need it), a bull calf (for reals!), a bunch of embroidery thread (as seen here and here) and a bunch of other weird and wonderful things.
It’s a serious plunge into rural country life. There are some real colourful characters and some real good ole’ nice folks. There are people I look forward to seeing every year. A nice older lady I missed seeing this year, but she’s a real sweetheart. I should ask if my MIL knows how she is.
The thing is... when you donate to a community fire hall for a fundraiser – either as a monetary donation or items given – you are helping your friends. Your neighbours. The people you care about. Give what you are able, if you are able.
The money raised helps the volunteer firefighters buy the things that make a firehall operate. The things that educate; the things that save lives. Volunteers who protect person and property have the resources to keep current and functional.
Never been to a community fire hall auction? Go. Do it. You never know what you might come home with. Maybe a passion to be a volunteer yourself.
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