The City of Celina will host the second annual Boo at the Park fundraiser Saturday at Donaldson Park, raising funds for the Celina and Pea Ridge volunteer fire departments.
Celina City Fire Department Chief Jamey Allen said fundraising allows fire departments to better serve the community by providing fire fighters the proper tools to keep people, and themselves, safe.
“Fundraisers is a big part of volunteer fire departments,” Allen said. “That’s where the majority of their money comes from, and that just helps out tremendously. The more people we can get there and raise more money, it just goes right back into the fire department.”
Allen said having the event inside the city makes it easier to coordinate and brings the community closer together. Allen said sometimes extra fundraiser volunteers can help the local volunteer departments.
“Sometimes it helps to get new members to join fire departments and things like that, cause we’re always needing more volunteers,” Allen said. “Everybody can help, they might not be able to all help at one time, but they can do their part.”
Allen said 800 people attended the event last year. Allen said fundraising is a joint effort, with multiple fire departments and park committee members putting the event together.
“Fundraising helps provide more money for us to better equip our fire fighters with safety gear and better equipment to help our community.” Allen said. “To help protect lives.”
Allen said the fire department tries to keep the costs low for the community. Allen said the event is for the community enjoyment, not just raising funds.
“And it also gives us good interaction during fundraiser events to meet people in the community and to show them what their money is being spent on,” Allen said. “So just help everybody out.”
Allen said the raised funds will go toward different types of equipment. Emergency equipment includes extraction equipment, a fire hose and nozzle and personal protective gear. Allen said the equipment and gear will help promote more safety for firefighters and citizens.
