On Sunday, June 14th, 2009, about 40 members of the Lebanon Rescue and their families attended an appreciation BBQ and Family Fun Night at the Flat Rock Bridge Resort in Lebanon.
The event went from 5pm til about 9pm. The rescue members and families were treated to a BBQ dinner, then arcade games, mini-golf, swimming, hot tubs and the waterslide! It was a great appreciation dinner.
Certificates of appreciation were handed out to all the volunteers who have made this past year so successful for the rescue department.
“It is important for the members to see that they are appreciated for all they do for the community. Last year, the members gave about 14,500 manpower hours to the community. This is the least we can do to thank them. It is also important to invite the family members because so often the responders are spending time with the family when they are called to help their neighbors who need help. They get called out during birthday parties, holidays and other special events, and it is a huge commitment that the responders make and they often drop everything and go help those who need it.” Rescue Chief Samantha Cole stated. “So often these volunteers get called out for a minor call and then get tied up for 4 or 5 hours responding to multiple calls. We try to show them our appreciation by giving out awards and hosting appreciation dinners. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and the fundraising of the rescue corporation, the entire event is paid for by donations and does not cost the townspeople a penny. We would like to thank John and Mary Hastings and the staff at the campground for a great time. The campground has amazing facilities and great staff. The event was sponsored by: Flat Rock Bridge Resort, Just Chevy Trucks, Welchs Hardware and Lumber and the Lebanon Rescue Corporation.”
Lebanon Rescue - Family Fun Night
“Even though it rained all day, the rain subsided during the event and after the BBQ, the volunteers and their family members all enjoyed the waterslide, pools and hot tub. They had a speed gun and the members took turns racing down the waterslide, with the average being about 17 mph. The record is 24mph, we were hoping to break it! The families enjoyed mini-golf, pool, table tennis and arcade games too.” Assistant Chief Jason Cole added.
“This was probably the best appreciation BBQ and family fun night in the ten years I have been on the rescue. Everyone who attended had a great time and we already have had requests for more nights like tonight. It was great to see the family members and volunteers have such a great time, its just a small token of appreciation for all they do throughout the year.” Chief Samantha Cole added.
If you have additional questions, please contact Samantha at 608-5614
Chief Samantha J. Cole
Lebanon Rescue Department
Rescue Chief’s Office
323 Depot Road
Lebanon, Maine 04027
(207) 457-9269 Chief’s Office
(207) 608-5614 Cell Phone
(207) 339-9488 Central Station
Emergency Dial 9-1-1
www.lebanonrescue.com
7 responses so far ↓
1 Rural // Jun 20, 2009 at 9:32 am
I think it is great that they recognize the work of the volunteers. They always do a great job. I also like how they do all this stuff throughout the year without costing the taxpayers anything.
Great job and thank you rescue volunteers
2 chris gilpatrick // Jun 20, 2009 at 7:54 pm
To bad our volunteers aren’t recognized more often for what they do . How long did it take to get a new fire truck or ambulance in this town ? All the training , community service , 24/7 on call and everything else they have done yet a few try to hold these departments back instead of helping them . These people put their lives on the line every time the tone goes off but when did LEBANON ever have an appreciation day for them . Oh….. they have bean suppers so this is enough . The waste we spend could go a long way in having an apprecition day for all the volunteers .
3 Rural // Jun 20, 2009 at 10:23 pm
I agree Chris, they do so much but have to fight for anything
4 woody // Jun 21, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Its always been like that. People who help the community get crapped on and the people who steal from the community get wealthier.
I am glad to see that they took the time to recognize the volunteers, and for taking the time to get sponsors to pay for it.
Good job!
5 Mary L // Jun 22, 2009 at 9:55 pm
thank you to all the volunteers!
6 Corinna // Jun 22, 2009 at 10:00 pm
It had to be good karma that it did not rain subsided and they were not interrupted by a call.
Chris is right, it is too bad the Town does not recognize the volunteers with an appreciation night or something…. too bad they have to throw themselves a party.
We are fortunate to have so many volunteer on both the Rescue Squad and Fire Department here in Lebanon. A little appreciation could go a long ways…. consider if we had to pay them all a salary.
7 John // Jun 23, 2009 at 5:49 pm
the town should consider doing something for them. I agree, why should they have to throw themselves a party. I thank the chief for doing it and taking the time to recognize her volunteers, but maybe as a town we should do something.
It could cost 500k-1million for safety services like other towns pay.
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