Ronnelle Schulz presented a check for $1,450.00 to the Goodhue Fire Department at their July 6th meeting. Schulz is the president of the St. Peter’s Church Ladies’ Aid group that raised the money hosting a burrito breakfast during Volksfest. This was the first year the Ladies Aid was responsible for hosting the event, taking it over from the area Wisconsin Synod churches young people’s society. Weeks of planning and days of preparation went into the event that served about 175 people.
Members of the Ladies’ Aid group found most of the items needed for the breakfast at Sam’s Club and additional items were donated. Five women and three men volunteered to set up tables and prep food on Friday evening. Browning sausage, chopping onions, peppers and ham, and cracking 45 dozen eggs ahead of time made it easier to cook and serve the meal on Saturday. The kitchen crew of eight men and women began serving the meal that included all the fixings for a build-your-own burrito, plus fruit and beverages at 8:30 AM and continued until 11:30. The event was held in the church basement while a quilt show encompassed the entire main level and 25 classic cars graced the lawn outside.
There was no charge for these events but $899.00 was collected in a free-will donation for the breakfast. A Thrivent Financial grant of $250.00 covered a large share of the expenses and St. Peter’s members generously donated $600.00 for a net profit of over $1400.00. The organization rounded the amount up to create the $1450.00 donation to the Goodhue Fire Department (GFD).
The donation was greatly appreciated by the department who will be putting it toward the purchase of three new pagers which cost $600.00 each. The pagers alert the firemen when a call comes in. 25 guys make up a full roster and each must live within six minutes of the station.
In addition to pagers, the GFD is waiting on the arrival of a new pumper truck that was ordered 18 months ago and is expected to arrive this month. The truck will replace the current one that is 30 years old. The department will attempt to sell or send the old truck to auction to help pay for the new truck which cost nearly $600,000.00. Additional funds come from the area Fire Truck Association, which receives money through a property tax levy. The association consists of two representatives from each of the seven townships the department serves, and decides how to allocate the money.
2023 marks the 125th anniversary of the GFD. Former fire chief, Chip Krueger is planning a celebration in conjunction with an October open house.
