2009-J4870
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the East Dunkirk Ladies Auxiliary of the
East Dunkirk Fire Department, upon the occasion of celebrating its 50th
Anniversary
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor the distinguished individuals and groups who give of their time
and talents to serve their neighbors in communities throughout this
great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, The East Dunkirk Ladies Auxiliary held its first meeting on
January 15, 1960; the Auxiliary was established to raise money to help
the Fire Department, support firefighters at fires and other emergency
calls and to offer assistance at other activities of the Fire Depart-
ment; and
WHEREAS, Auxiliaries to Fire Departments assist firefighters through
fundraising efforts, equipment purchases and in providing food and
beverages during emergency calls; and
WHEREAS, The East Dunkirk Ladies Auxiliary held fundraisers throughout
1960 to fully outfit the Fire Department's kitchen with a coffee maker,
silverware, card tables and dinnerware; they also raise funds to
purchase a house telephone to be placed in the Chief's house to answer
fire calls; and
WHEREAS, Auxiliary members continued their hard work over the next few
years to raise funds for a ventilator, wiring for the hall, tires for
the fire truck, a radio, repair work on the fire truck, helmets and
gloves for firefighters, misting fans, voice amplifiers for air packs,
water rescue suits, fire hoses and nozzles, ladders and other important
pieces of equipment for the firefighters, their trucks and the fire
hall; and
WHEREAS, A Ladies Marching Unit was formed in January of 1974, provid-
ing greater recognition of the Auxiliary in the community; the Ladies
Marching Unit earned prize money to purchase uniforms and an American
flag; and
WHEREAS, The East Dunkirk Ladies Auxiliary joined the Chautauqua Coun-
ty Volunteer Fire Service Auxiliary; with other members of the County
Auxiliary, they donated, through the Burn Bear Program, sterile teddy
bears to children who have suffered burns; and
WHEREAS, Deceased members of the East Dunkirk Ladies Auxiliary are
honored each May; flowers are placed at the Auxiliary's memorial site,
and a memorial stone surrounded by flowering bushes at the fire hall
serves as a constant reminder of the service of deceased Auxiliary
members; and
WHEREAS, Members of the East Dunkirk Ladies Auxiliary have undertaken
training and have taken on roles as EMTs, radio dispatchers and fire-
fighters; and
WHEREAS, Sufficient gratitude cannot be expressed to those devoted
individuals who support the efforts of volunteer fire departments
through raising funds to purchase lifesaving equipment; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize these community emergency services auxiliary groups that have
achieved notable success in supporting the protection of lives and prop-
erty over the course of their long histories in this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the East Dunkirk Ladies Auxiliary upon the occasion of celebrating
its 50th Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the East Dunkirk Ladies Auxiliary.