In the years I’ve lived in Waupaca, I have found it, for the most part, to be a caring, generous community.
People are there to help others; people donate to good causes; people stand for their beliefs.
I am grateful for the people and so many of the things the Waupaca community has to offer.
I am most grateful for the volunteers with the Waupaca Area Fire District.
We often talk about heroes when we speak of the military, and they definitely are heroes.
But what about the men of Waupaca who are your everyday family men, hold down a regular job, but at the signal of an alarm or the beep of the pager are willing to put their lives on the line to save your burning home, your burning car, rescue a victim in a car accident and help keep your community safe?
Do you ever think about the potential sacrifice these people make for you?
I can’t say I did until a few years ago when a Green Bay firefighter died because he fell through the floor of a burning house and was trapped.
Now, every time I hear that siren, I say a little prayer, and yes, I worry, for those men going to whatever the emergency might be.
It could have been one of them in that position, sacrificing his life to help you.
We have been blessed here in Waupaca, and I hope we continue to be for many years to come.
One of the ways our volunteer firemen keep safer is by updating their equipment and keeping up with the latest training. This, however, is not an easy task, and it gets more difficult every year.
The Waupaca Volunteer Fire Department is able to do this with the money raised at their annual dance.
Whether it be through dance ticket sales, raffle ticket sales or donations, this is their major fundraiser.
From last year’s event, they were able to update their radio/communication system.
We jump to donate beautiful items for raffles and silent auctions for many causes in this town, and that is wonderful.
But this is your Waupaca Area Fire District, and I can’t stress the word “volunteer” enough, especially when it comes to firefighting. They should be at the tops of our lists for support.
The Annual Waupaca Firemen’s Dance is Saturday, July 14, at Swan Park, with great, fun music by the Dweebs. Admission is just $5. Raffle tickets are also being sold.