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September 29, 2008

Firing up a fish fry

Waurika lake catch brings in 400 pounds for EVFD fundraiser

John Walker

EMPIRE — EMPIRE — Between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, hundreds of people flocked to Kens Mart at the intersection of 42nd and Fuller for the third annual fundraiser for the Empire volunteer firefighters.

Darla Ensminger, who helped organize the event along with Mike Ramsey, said that when all was said and done, the fundraiser earned the firefighters $23,067, which was about $5,000 more than last year’s fundraiser.

“We were hoping for about $25,000, but we were also going to be thrilled for anything over $20,000,” Ensminger said.

Most of the money did not come from ticket prices. It was only $8 at the door to get in.

Ensminger said that the bulk of the money came from phone solicitations and the generosity of people.

The money earned last year was used to purchase new bunker gear. This year’s money will go toward equipping a first responder’s truck, she said.

Ramsey said that the firefighters have purchased much of their equipment from their own personal funds.

“So we saw a need again this year to hold the fundraiser,” Ramsey said.

This year’s fundraiser, however, was the first as a fish fry.

Volunteer firefighter Randall Allen said that the firefighters collectively caught enough fish from Waurika Lake to make 400 pounds of fillets.

Ensminger said that they used up almost all the food.

“We were very pleased,” she said. “We fed approximately 650 people.”

Randy Burum, who was one of the 650, said he wanted to come and support the firefighters in their efforts. “I have some friends here in the Fire Department,” Burum said. “They do lots of good work.”

Billybob Bailey, who is a friend of Burum, said that Burum suggested he attend.

“It’s my first time to come this year,” Bailey said. “It’s good to be here.”

Susie Hall, who lives in Empire with her husband, Frank, said that this was the first year she and her husband have attended the event.

“Things kept coming up before,” she said. “But not this year. The music here is great.”

Two groups volunteered their time to provide the live entertainment for three hours. The first was the Butch Swanson family and the second was the group of Dane Ledford’s, Ensminger said.

Besides food and live entertainment, the event also offered a dunking booth.

Brittany Williams, who wanted to volunteer to help at the event, said they asked her to be in the dunking booth for the first part of the fundraiser.

“The water was cold,” Williams said. Volunteer firefighter Ronnie Murray said that the volunteers were wonderful.

“That’s one nice thing about a small community,” Murray said. “Everyone comes out to help us.”

Comanche Masonic Lodge No. 41 also helped with the fundraiser.

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