Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department, INC.

Ladies Auxiliary

History

The following information was collected from the Auxiliary minutes and research. 

The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary was founded on July 20, 1948 with seven (7) members present.  Mrs. Roland Duke from Leonardtown was a big help in getting the organization started and with a $100.00 donation from the Fire Department, the Auxiliary was off to a good start.  The attendees at the first meeting were Louise Burroughs, Mary Agnes Turner, Mary Ruth Waring, Elizabeth (Sally) Raley, Lydia Burroughs, Mabel Owens, and Lou Abell.

Officers were selected and By-Laws written.  It was decided that officers would remain in office for two years before having another election.  The first officers were as follows:

From July until December the Auxiliary had grown from 7 members and had  strengthened to 28.  The main fundraisers that first year were card parties and the jousting tournament.

In succeeding years the Ladies Auxiliary proceeded to buy necessities for the firehouse, e.g., chairs for the meeting room, gas stove for the kitchen, linoleum for the bathrooms, shades for the windows, etc.  In 1958, the Auxiliary purchased a “gas mask” (breathing apparatus) at a cost of $252.00, and in 1959, gave the men $250.00 to purchase a siren and radio for the tanker.  Their main fundraisers during this time were Friday night dances.

In 1961, the Auxiliary began marching in parades and won their first trophy, a “Best Appearing” trophy, won in Prince Frederick.  George Johnson and Eddie Long made and donated a shelf for the trophy to be displayed.  The Ladies went on to win numerous trophies in the succeeding years.  Trophies were not only won for marching, but also for the Auxiliary’s many Fire Prevention Floats, the “Future Ladies Auxiliary,” the “Future Firemen,” the “Little Miss Fire Prevention,” and the Fire Prevention Queen.

In 1964, Mr. Lewis Montgomery donated a jeep to the Auxiliary, and with a little elbow grease and $150.00 worth of repairs, it was brought back to life.  The jeep was used for things such as transporting food and drinks to the fire scene, pulling floats in the parade, etc.  Some five years later the jeep would become more of a burden than an asset and the Auxiliary sold it for $150.00.

In 1969, the Ladies started running the Bingo and Food Stand at the Carnival.  From then on, the Carnival was to be a major fundraiser for the Auxiliary.

In the years to come, the Auxiliary’s monies were focused more to help the firemen pay for the new firehouse.  In 1976, the present firehouse was completed.  The Ladies have and will continue to help the men and women improve the equipment and building as needed.