The History of The Ladies Auxiliary in The Years of

2000’s

• 2000, Judy Copsey was installed as 1st Vice President for the Southern Maryland Ladies Auxiliary.  The auxiliary provided food for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Golden Beach Station.  Vi Evans was voted back into the auxiliary.  It was voted on to buy a second chief’s vehicle and be presented to the Fire Department at the 2001 banquet.  The Auxiliary also gave the Fire Department $5000 toward equipping the vehicle.  
• 2001,  Judy Copsey was installed as President for the Southern Maryland Ladies Auxiliary.  Carolyn Sage, Lynn Lumpkins, Sandy Nelson and Marie Kurtz all the joined the auxiliary.   On September 11, all fire and EMS stations in the county were manned.  The auxiliary provided lunch to the members that were at the station.  The auxiliary was prepared to continue to support the fire department as long as necessary.  
• 2002, The Ladies Auxiliary became an official member of the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department.  Pat Baker and Karen Colonna were voted into the auxiliary. 
• 2003, Karen Cusic and Pat Johnson were voted into the membership.  The auxiliary was prepared and provided meals to the firemen during Hurricane Isabel. 
• 2004, In February we had a bluegrass concert with three local bands.  Judy Copsey was installed as secretary to the Southern Maryland Ladies Auxiliary and also was inducted into the Southern Maryland Hall of Fame.  Mary Summers was voted into the auxiliary. 
• 2005, The renovations to the firehouse were in progress. The Auxiliary has set aside $56,000 for the renovations over the last few years.  The auxiliary purchased a funnel cake fryer with cart and all accessories to use at the carnival.  Election of Officers for 2006 were as follows:  President – Karen Cusic, Vice President – Carey Roache, Treasurer – Heather Jacobs, Secretary – Valerie Smiley, Chaplain – Peggy Guy, Historian – Jenny Copsey.
• January, 2006, Amy Copsey proposed a by-law change in Article 2 – Membership, Section 1.  The Auxiliary decided to give the FD the following at the banquet:  Steering wheel (airbag) covers – 3 at $600 ea., Kitchen Cleaning at $3,000, Flags and Flag stands, and the remaining money to go towards Chairs and caddies.
• February, 2006,  Molly Colonna joined and Sherry Lacey rejoined the Auxiliary.  The proposed January by-law change was put in affect.
• March, 2006, Publicity Committee recommended to purchase a sign to advertise events which costs $149.95, plus $15 for plastic protective panels.  Samantha Guy joined the Auxiliary.  Harold Younger donated to the Auxiliary a cedar-lined oak chest to be raffled off.  President Karen Cusic was approached by Bobby Parlett about co-sponsoring a Texas Holdem Tournament as a fundraiser with the Mechanicsville Optimist Club.
• April, 2006, Heather Lewis and Katherine Evans joined the Auxiliary.
• May, 2006, Held our first Texas Holdem on May 19th.  The Ways and Means Committee came up with fundraising ideas such as car show for next year and a “Bakeless Bakesale”.
• October, 2006, We had our first Double Texas Holdem Tournament with one game entry fee at $150 and the other at $75.
• November, 2006, Kathi Guy was welcomed back as an Auxiliary member.
• December, 2006, The ladies decided to give the FD $22,000 at the banquet.  Officers for 2007 were as follows:  President – Karen Cusic, Vice President – Carey Roache, Treasurer – Heather Jacobs, Secretary – Valerie Smiley, Chaplain – Peggy Guy, Historian – Sherry Lacey.
• 2007, A Committee was formed to plan the Fire Department’s 75th Anniversary in the year 2009.  We had our first Bakeless Bakesale which was very successful.  Amish quilt for the holiday bazaar was a “Broken Star” quilt.  Kim Price, Ellen Emmart, and Lori Greathouse were voted into membership.  Ida Abell was voted to become a Life Member. 
• January, 2008, Molly Colonna reported as Auxiliary chairperson of the 75th Committee that the Banquet in 2009 will be the kickoff, followed by a parade at the carnival, open house in October, and a Gala in November and we will close the year with the Christmas Tree lighting at the Children’s Christmas Party.  Motion was made to give the FD $30,000 towards the renovation of the restrooms in the social hall.  The Auxiliary has set aside in the form of a Bank Certificate of Deposit $10,000 for the 75th Anniversary expenses.  The Auxiliary talked about making their own quilt this year for the Bazaar.  Pat Johnson suggested raffling off a large grill at the carnival.  President Montgomery suggested raffling off a children’s toy firetruck to be raffled off at the Children’s Christmas Party.
• February, 2008, It was mentioned that the Rescue Squad will be celebrating their 50th year in Service as our Fire Department will celebrate their 75th.  Dr. Roache would like the two companies to share some of the festivities.  Helen Long passed away.  She was a former Auxiliary member.  The new dishwasher is in and operational.
• March, 2008,  The Fire Department purchased for the Auxiliary 5 fluorescent vests that must be worn on the scene of fires or accidents.  They will be kept in the emergency response box.  It was suggested that the members wear white shirts and black pants for any catering event that we have.
• April, 2006, Molly Colonna suggested to bring back the Fire Prevention Queen.   Only one person submitted an application.  Karen Montgomery and Molly Colonna attended the Fire Department Uniform Committee Meeting.  The FD would like us to have uniforms for some of the activities that we will have in 2009 for the 75th Anniversary.  The Auxiliary hosted 2 bus trips to Atlantic City.
• July, 2008, We will have a Yard Sale next month as a fundraiser.  We have been asked to sell Funnel Cakes at Hughesville’s Southern Maryland Parade in May of 2009.  It was mentioned that 2008 is this Auxiliary’s 60th Anniversary.  It was decided that because of all the planning going on this year for the  75th activities next year that we would not celebrate this year.  A Drive-thru Chicken Dinner to be held on 9/28.
• August, 2008, Karen Montgomery got an email from President Montgomery that we will be audited by the fire department’s auditor.  The 75th anniversary theme  is diamonds, and will raffle one off at the carnival.  Terri Palmer will take individual and group shots for 75th Book.  Marie Kurtz reported that the Uniform Committee  met and they are going with black pants, white blouses and a tie.  The fire department earlier gave us $400 to pay for uniforms.  Ida Abell made a motion that we designate this Friday’s Texas Hold’em tournament profits to go to uniform costs.  Molly Colonna seconded; motion carried.  Crystal Vallandingham, who would like to join the auxiliary, was introduced.  We will sell raffle tickets for our quilt at The Farm Life Festival.
• September, 2008 to present, we are very busy raising money and working on lots of projects and events for the 75th Anniversary and supporting our Fire Department.