Over two hundred people attended the third annual Fireman’s Ball, hosted by the Plains Volunteer Fire Department last Saturday night at the V.F.W.

“The money raised from the ball helps pay for projects that our regular budget can’t totally cover,” said Larry Ballantyne, the chief of the fire department.  “For example, last year we had to buy an air compressor which runs about $5,000 and also auxiliary lighting on our fire truck.  We paid half of the cost, and the city paid the other, but this fundraiser helps with things such as that.”

According to firefighters, the money raised will also go towards getting them a “new, used truck.”  The department has also received a grant that will help cover the major costs of the truck.

“The truck we use now is a 1967 model and one of the oldest used in the state,” said assistant chief Joe Sheppard.  “The grant money is a huge help in getting us a newer model, which for example will have a gel shooting feature which helps put out gas and electrical fires.”

Guests enjoyed a sit down dinner of homemade lasagna, salad, bread, and cake served to every table personally by the fifteen firefighters at the event.  Dinner was followed by a live auction with items such as local art, food and gift baskets, hunting accessories and a log porch swing for $300. 

The department also had a fire uniform on display so people could see how much the gear costs.  For example, a helmet runs $280 and a coat or pants at $550.

According to Ballantyne, the auction raises more money than the dinner, but most of the auction items are affordable priced mostly in the $50 to $200 range. There was also rifle raffle, which gave away a Henry 30-30 rifle.

“Some things bring in a lot of money one year, and not a lot the next.  This community is so good at supporting each other’s causes, even in a bad economy.  Sometimes I think that makes it even more important to donate in hard and have strong community,” said Ballantyne.

“People stayed for the whole night danced until 1 a.m. to the local band, “Party Train,” said Ballantyne.  “The turn out we had was great and was complemented by a good crowd; everything went really well.”