Community supports Schroeder Volunteer Fire Department

Nov. 07--SCHROEDER -- Jonathon Raska, 16, has volunteered for the Schroeder Volunteer Fire Department annual fundraiser for eight years.

"The volunteer fire department needs recognition," the Faith Academy junior said. "It's only right for us to give our thanks and appreciation to them. Volunteering is one way of letting them know that we appreciate them as well as coming out here."

The Schroeder Volunteer Fire Department held its 12th annual fundraiser Sunday at Schroeder Hall. Volunteers sold brisket plates with potatoes and beans for $9 each. The benefit also had a live auction, plant sale, country store, raffle and cake wheel. The fire department raised about $25,000 total and sold about 1,000 plates.

Jonathon volunteered for the event through the Schroeder 4-H club, of which he is the president. He helped run the cake wheel. Volunteering for the benefit each year has been a reward on its own, he said, and he enjoys interacting with members of the community.

"Being able to talk to them and see them smile is pretty cool," he said.

The fire department receives some funding from the county; most goes toward paying for the department's vehicle insurance, department president Wayne Petru, 64, said. The event is the only fundraiser the department hosts for the year and the main source of funding.

The funds go toward firefighting equipment, maintaining the fire trucks and any training the 15 active first responders need, Petru said.

The benefit not only helps keep the fire department running but also gives the first responders a chance to interact with the community, Petru said.

"We get to meet everyone who lives around here," he said. "I love to see the people come out and have a good time, get to talk to everybody and let them know we're here so they can call us anytime."

Petru has been with the fire department since it formed in 2005 and has been volunteering for fire departments in places he's lived since 1974.

"It's a way to give back to the community," he said. "If people like me didn't volunteer to do it, then we wouldn't have any fire coverage out here."

It's important to have a volunteer fire department in Schroeder because fires happen not only when it's dry but anytime, Petru said.

The live auction items were donated by Crossroads businesses or community members, Petru said. Items included a homemade ice chest, paintings, quilts, knife hunting kit, a deer cleaning kit and more.

Barbara Thompson, 65, attended the benefit for the fourth time and lives in Weesatche. She comes to the benefit each year to support the fire department, see old friends and make new friends, she said.

"I like to come and see people from the community," she said. "I like the live auction and that cake wheel over there. I already won two cakes. I just have a good time."

Thompson was a volunteer firefighter when she lived in Three Rivers and knows how essential community support is for volunteer fire departments. Without it, the department wouldn't be able to operate, she said.

"Just think: If you had a house and there's no fire department and you get a fire, what are you going to do?" she said.

Julie Dentler, 67, lives in Victoria County and attended the benefit for the second time. She tries to participate in events that support volunteer fire departments as much as possible, she said.

"Without the volunteer fire department, the people that live out in the country, if there is a fire, a brush fire, what are they to do?" she said. "They depend on the volunteer fire departments."

___

(c)2016 Victoria Advocate (Victoria, Texas)

Visit Victoria Advocate (Victoria, Texas) at www.victoriaadvocate.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.