Troy Volunteer Fire Department gets big lift from community support
Shelly Anderson, Troy Fire Auxiliary Treasurer, said the non-profit Auxiliary was formed in 2024 to fill the void in funding for equipment for the TVFD, due to its very limited budget.
"We had our first successful fundraiser as a bingo night at the Troy Fire Hall last fall and this past Saturday, June 7, had a very successful fundraiser with the "Fireman's Ball" named after a long time nostalgic annual event held at the firehall decades ago," Anderson said in an email to The Western News. "It was a fun evening for the community and a very successful fundraiser to help provide our hard working volunteer firemen with the needed technology changes in equipment and safety gear while they keep up with required training and respond to fires and accidents."
The generosity came from various businesses and individuals, including the Halfway House Bar & Grill, which provided a licensed full bar service for the event donating all profits to the fundraiser.
"Prior to the event, we received cash sponsorships by various businesses totaling $4,900," Anderson said.
The night started out with a spaghetti dinner by donation. Following that there were various silent auction items and tables full of desserts that also went to the highest bidders. There was a live auction of the evening's higher dollar donated items and there were tables loaded with amazing raffle items. We also had hourly 50/50 drawings to add to the fun.
Community member and Troy Chamber of Commerce President Mike Lidgett graciously volunteered his time to provide music and MC Saturday night's festivities.
The sponsorship donors prior to event included Alternative ReLeaf, True Value, Troy Auto Parts, Teresa Wilson Insurance/State Farm, Watson's Market, Libby Auto Parts, Golden State Oil/Conoco, 4B's/Antlers, Sawtooth Excavating/Logan and Jessica Munts, Terry and Kelly Lister/Iron Creek Cafe & Cantina and The Montanian.
Anderson said the Auxiliary is already working on new ideas for next year.
"None of this would've been possible without the amazing donations from people and businesses of Troy, Bonners Ferry and Libby as well as all the great folks that came to the event to support it!" Anderson said. "The Troy Fire Auxiliary is extremely grateful for their generosity."
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