History of the Vigilant Hose Company Auxiliary

“Helping Our Fire Department Help Others”

To operate a public sector emergency services agency costs a great deal of money.  Contrary to a widely held belief, the volunteer fire service is not free.  Many who visit the area say again and again that the greater Emmitsburg region is extremely fortunate to have the talent, spirit of volunteerism and dedication to community service ingrained throughout our all-volunteer fire department.  One of the greatest assets – and one sometimes overlooked – is our extraordinary Auxiliary.  When looking at our facilities, our rolling stock of emergency vehicles and modern equipment, what is not so obvious is that the money for all this has to come from somewhere.  Just ask any one familiar with the successes of our organization and at the top of the list is the amazing support provided by the Auxiliary.  What follows is an overview of how our Auxiliary, which started out as “The Ladies Auxiliary,” came to be, how they are structured and all the things they accomplish year round.  When necessary, they can become a “kitchen on wheels” in support of response personnel should major emergencies occur – day or night.  Today’s Auxiliary is a powerhouse of commitment and dedication heralded by every single First Responder in our organization.  This then is the history of a truly amazing group…

Getting Started

On November 20, 1975, an informal meeting was held by women in the Emmitsburg area to form an auxiliary to the Vigilant Hose Company.  The meeting was held in the meeting room at the Vigilant Hose Company (VHC), 25 West Main Street, Emmitsburg, Maryland.  Mrs. Helen Walsh, President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Junior Fire Company of Frederick City, and Mrs. Stahley, President of the Lewistown Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary were present to give general information to the group on starting a ladies auxiliary unit.

Those elected as officers were:  President – Polly Kittinger; Vice President – Shirley Little; Treasurer – Jeanne Angleberger; Secretary – Patty Myers (now Orner); Assistant Secretary – Jane Shorb; Chaplain – Loretta Myers; Color Bearer – Gerry Hewitt; Historian – Mary Jean Orndorff; and Guard – Marie Little.

On December 3, 1975, By-Laws for the newly formed Ladies Auxiliary were approved by the charter members attending the meeting.  A copy of the By-Laws was provided to the full department for approval at their next regular business meeting of the VHC.

The first official meeting of the Ladies Auxiliary was held December 11, 1975, in the meeting room of the Vigilant Hose Company.  It was decided that all meetings would be held on the second Thursday of every month.  The purpose of the Ladies Auxiliary was and still remains to assist the fire company in any way possible.

Membership

Charter Members of the Ladies Auxiliary included:  Jeanne Angleberger, Sherry Bushman, Nancy Danner, Elaine Ebaugh, Susie Glass, Gerry Hewitt, Polly Kittinger, Marie Little, Shirley Little, Sharon Lunny, Kathy Myers, Loretta Myers, Patty Myers, Wanda Myers, Mable Orndorff, Mary Jean Orndorff, Dianne Pryor, Gert Rodgers, Jane Shorb and Nancy Topper.

Records show that in 1976, there were 31 members of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Vigilant Hose Company.  By the end of 2008, there were 62 members of the Vigilant Hose Company Auxiliary—which is double the membership from when the organization was formed.

At one point during the 1980s, while membership numbers were high, attendance at Auxiliary meetings was minimal.  Sometimes there were not enough members present to hold a quorum.  A few positions within the Auxiliary were dropped as they did not have sufficient eligible members to fill the offices (i.e., Color Bearer, Guard and Chaplain).  The core officers were maintained—President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Historian.  A few years later, interest in the Auxiliary increased.  As a result of higher participation at meetings, fundraising functions also increased.

Committees

The Auxiliary has committees consisting of the current members and include:  Historical Committee, Sunshine Committee, By-Laws Committee, Nominating Committee, etc.  The Canteen Committee consists of all members of the department.  If the fire department is on a working incident, the Auxiliary may be called upon to provide refreshments to fire departments involved in the incident.  This could mean providing refreshments at the fire scene or at the fire station.  Not only is the Canteen Committee needed when there are working incidents, they are also called upon to provide refreshments after drills, etc., including on those occasions when the fire station has been used as a shelter.  Such happened in the Blizzard of 1996 when many in the region lost power.  Members of the community were housed at the fire station and provided canteen services for their entire stay.  Members of the Auxiliary were called upon to provide food for the community members as well as the firefighters over a 4-day period until such a time it was safe for the residents to return to their homes.

Fundraising

Looking back through some of the old meeting minutes of the Ladies Auxiliary, it was determined that their fundraising activities included such things as monthly bingos at the fire hall, donut sales, dances, sticky-bun sales, etc.

Into the 1980’s, some of the fundraising activities included selling refreshments at the weekly bingos sponsored by the Vigilant Hose Company.  Bingo was held every Monday evening at the Emmitsburg Community Center.  The Ladies Auxiliary continued selling refreshments at the weekly bingo when the bingo was taken over by the Emmitsburg Ambulance Company and moved to their facility (then located at 300 South Seton Avenue).  Several months after the Ambulance Company took over bingo, the Ladies Auxiliary decided to discontinue participation in the Monday evening bingos.  Other fundraisers included pizza sales, sub sales, raffles, etc.

In the 1990’s and continuing to the present, auxiliary Members expanded their fundraising activities.  They hosted a variety of types of bingos – Old Fashion Bingo, Bingo Bonanzas, and Basket Bingos.  Other fundraising activities included:  catering events, sub sales, bake sales, flower sales, chicken barbeques, lottery raffles, breakfasts, sportsman’s drawings, etc.

In the mid 1990’s, changes were made regarding non-profit organizational fund-raiser gambling and the need for each such organization to obtain a gaming permit each year.  With this change impacting non-profit organizations there was also an accompanying change for restaurant/bar/tavern owners who wished to have gambling in their establishments.  Restaurant/bar/tavern owners who wanted to sell “ticket jars” (small paper tabs of sealed numbers) in their establishments could do so but needed to “team up” with a non-profit organization.  The establishment received 30% of the proceeds from gambling while the non-profit organization received 70% of the proceeds.  The Auxiliary was fortunate to be able to team-up with The Corner Pub for a few years and The Palms Restaurant for many years.  The Palms Restaurant continues to provide financial support through ticket jars to the Auxiliary to this day.  This has for years been a major funding source for the Auxiliary as they receive approximately $20,000.00 per year from The Palms Restaurant.

Donations

In the late 1980’s, donations to the Vigilant Hose Company were minimal.  Funds were not readily available to make donations of high volume to the fire department.  Donations very rarely exceeded $5000.00.  Sometimes the Auxiliary’s savings and checking accounts were drained just so they could give a donation to the fire department.  They sometimes relied on gracious individuals to provide funds on loan to get them started with the first activities of a given new calendar year.

In 1993, the Vigilant Hose Company launched its “Campaign for Community Safety” to accomplish much needed renovations of the existing fire station and to upgrade emergency service capabilities with the acquisition of an aerial truck – the first ever in the history of the department.  This effort included adding an engine bay on the east side (closest to the square), renovating the kitchen facilities, renovating the old engine bay which now is the display room, and renovating the restroom facilities to include a handicap accessible restroom.  In addition to the renovations, the campaign was launched to include funds for the purchase of Tower 6.  The Ladies Auxiliary pledged $100,000.00 which made them a major contributor to the campaign and listed them as a “President’s Club” donor.  The pledge was to be paid over a five-year period.  The first payment of $30,000.00 was presented at the 1994 Banquet; the second payment of $35,000.00 was paid at the 1995 Banquet; and a check for the final installment of $35,000.00 was presented at the 1996 Banquet.  Although it had been anticipated that it would take five years to pay off their pledge in its entirety, the Ladies Auxiliary was able to fulfill the obligation in just three years.

In May of 2000, the Auxiliary purchased a 2000 Ford Expedition from Frederick Motor Company for the fire department.  This Expedition is used as the “Duty Vehicle.”  The Auxiliary obtained a five-year loan for the vehicle but had paid the loan in full by the end of December 2000.  Upon receiving the Expedition as a gift from the Auxiliary, the fire department had the Expedition customized with emblems, etc. and it clearly displays that the vehicle was donated by the VHC Auxiliary.

Yearly donations are presented to the Vigilant Hose Company at the annual banquet held in January of each year.  Again, prior to 1991, donations were minimal.  Going back to 1991, donations were made to the fire department, from the Auxiliary, in the following amounts:

1991: $9,000.00

1992:          $10,000.00

1993:          $30,000.00

1994:          $35,000.00

1995:          $35,000.00

1996:          $25,000.00

1997:          $30,000.00

1998:          $50,000.00

1999:          $35,000.00

2000:          $5,000.00 - plus a 2000 Ford Expedition (Duty Vehicle)

2001:          $30,000.00

2002:          $30,000.00

2003:          $60,000.00

2004:          $35,000.00

2005:          $40,000.00

2006:          $30,000.00

2007:          $30,000.00

2008: $30,000.00

The total for 1991 through January 2009 is $549,000.00 plus the command vehicle.

Additional Insights

On June 13, 1979, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Vigilant Hose Company became incorporated.  After Incorporation, the first organizational meeting of the Board of Directors was held on December 6, 1979.

In 1997, necessary actions were taken to officially change our name from the Ladies Auxiliary of the Vigilant Hose Company to Vigilant Hose Company Auxiliary to alleviate any perceived type of discrimination.  The Auxiliary provides support to the VHC in many other ways than just financial support.

Auxiliary members can often be seen at functions sponsored by the fire department.  Some of these fundraising activities include the annual Superbowl Party, Shrimp & Oyster feed, Seafood Bonanza, 300 Clubs, chicken barbeques, golf tournaments, Frederick Fair, etc.  Auxiliary assistance is needed in preparing/serving meals, selling ticket jars, etc.  Often times, some of the Auxiliary members are called upon to assist with correspondence, preparing letters/etc. to continue fire department operations.

Summary

From humble beginnings, the Vigilant Hose Company Auxiliary has come a long way.  Committed workers, great leaders and teamwork have all been the mainstay of their success over the years.  It’s apparent that many different kinds of support, not only financial, have been provided to the Vigilant Hose Company members and the intent are to continue doing so.  There is a superb working relationship between fire department and auxiliary members.  All Auxiliary members work in harmony to achieve the same mission – provide financial support to the fire department so they can provide the best Fire and EMS protection to the citizens of the Emmitsburg community and other surrounding communities.