SANDPOINT — SMS Auto & Marine’s second annual First Responder Benefit for Bonner County in mid-September raised a total of $10,348.

Held Sept. 16, the fundraiser began as a way to support the community during the intense fire season in 2021, store owner Lucas Duebendorfer said.

This year’s fundraiser was a success, with about twice as many businesses involved as last year, Duebendorfer said.

“The event more than doubled in size from last year and went from being contained to our parking lot with a few handpicked cars, to spreading out over the entire block with over 100 registered vehicles.”

Last year, they only used their parking lot. This year, Sandpoint had to close down most of Washington and part of Ponderosa avenues for the festivities, which included live music, food and drink, raffles, games, and giveaways.

“It truly takes a village and we are blessed to see our community at work,” Duebendorfer said, adding that the event had more than 20 sponsors.

Duebendorfer said the allocation of the funds raised is up to the county’s first responders. This year, the funds have gone to updating communication equipment for the mostly volunteer West Pend Oreille Fire District as well as to the Bonner County Chaplains for upgraded training equipment and dispatch.

“We would also like to thank our amazing staff here at SMS Auto & Marine, they put their hearts and effort into bringing it all together and represented themselves, our business and our community at its best,” Lucas and Hallie Duebendorfer wrote in a press release after the event.

“We are beyond thrilled with the success of the event and can’t wait to see what next year brings!”