Non-Profit Internet Source for News, Events, History, & Culture
 of Woodsboro, Walkersville, Keymar & New Midway

 

Woodsboro VFC recognizes
 excellence & service

(4/24) On April 23rd, members of the Woodsboro Volunteer Fire Company came together for a long over due and well-deserved award banquet. Burgess Heath Barnes thanked the members of the company for their selfless service and dedication to the community.

James Writer took home this year’s President’s award. According to outgoing President Sue Patcher, Writer has been the company’s Treasurer for 15 years or more. For the last five years he has advised Patcher on almost all business discussions for the Company. He was invaluable, Patcher said, in helping her understand the in's and out of all the accounts the fire company has, what they are used for, as well as keeping her on schedule over the five years of her Presidency. "I could not have run the Company without him. Patcher said.

Robert Lind, who has been an active member for 20 years, was recognized with a lifetime award. Lind he has served in multiple roles in the company, including a five-year stint as the Company’s President and six years as a member of the Board of Directors. While some many think that a lifetime award means the best is behind them, in Lind’s case it is defiantly not, as he will be assuming the mantel of President of the Company once again this year.

Dennis Derry was also recognized with a lifetime award. For over 20 years Dennis has been active on both sides of the company, serving in positions in both the operational as well as the social side of the organization. Dennis has served on the Board of Directors on several occasions and served as a Line Officer for years.

Not to be outdone by her husband Robert, Karin Lind was also recognized with a lifetime award for her role as the secretary for the Ladies Auxiliary. She has been an active social member for 20 years, and has served as the Company’s secretary since 2019.

The company also recognized eight members who have died since the last time the company could come together to celebrate. They included: Kenneth Hines (1/25/19), Horace Wright (8/21/19), Dorothy Harbaugh (9/23/20), Ruth Martin (8/28/20), Mary Lind (12/14/20), Carroll Dorsey (1/22/21), Betty Eyler (2/16/21), and Kay Ensor (3/23/21).

The Woodsboro Volunteer Fire Company was formed in 1953 when residents met to decide what to do with $30,000 left in a "Community Betterment Fund." The money had been collected to build a war memorial. The residents voted to give the town $20,000 to start a water system. They voted to donate the remaining $10,000 to the new fire company so that it could buy its first fire engine.

At various times since 1953 the Company 16 fleet has consisted of ladder trucks, rescue squads, a cascade service, duty and support vehicles, boats, and a dive team. Today, the company runs two fire engines, an ambulance, a duty vehicle and a Zodiac rescue boat. Company 16 responded to 644 ambulance calls and 243 fire and other calls in 2021.

In 2023, Company 16 will celebrate 70 years of service to Woodsboro and surrounding communities.

Read other news articles on Woodsboro