Art Harfman, left, with help from firefighter Mark McKenney, manned the barbecue at the Anarchist Mountain Community Society’s annual Fundraiser for the Anarchist Mountain Fire Department on July 6. (Vanessa Broadbent / Osoyoos Times)
By Vanessa Broadbent
Osoyoos Times
Once again the Anarchist Mountain Fire Department has its pockets full of cash after the community rallied for its annual fundraiser.
Hosted by the Anarchist Mountain Community Society (AMCS), the fundraiser, which took place at the Summit Centre on July 6, helps support the department.
The 135 attendees could bid on silent auction items and enjoy a potluck dinner, including a barbecue hosted by the firefighters.
Fire chief Urs Grob said the donations go towards items not in the department’s budget. Lately they’ve been stocking up on wildfire gear.
“We use it for stuff we wouldn’t normally buy with our budget, stuff that’s nice to have and makes our life easier,” he said. “It gives us more playroom.”
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The fire department started in 2003 after wildfires hit the area, and the annual barbecue has been taking place since 2005.
With wildfire threats still persisting, AMCS president Jamie Wrights said it’s the community’s way of thanking the department, while supporting it.
“Mostly, people just want to get together and help each other out,” she said.
“We are isolated and we really need them, absolutely. We’ve already had two grass fires that could have potentially really gone. They’re there for us.”
Funds are still coming in, but in previous years the event raised around $5,000.
