The Ladies Auxiliary of the New Castle County Volunteer Firemen’s Association was organized on October 7, 1931, when the existing eleven auxiliaries met at the Holloway Terrace Firehouse. This group consisted of Cranston Heights, organized in January 1920; Elsmere, March 1921; Christiana, January 1922; Holloway Terrace, March 1922; Mill Creek, May 1927; Five Points, October 1927; Claymont, January 1929; Talleyville, August 1929; Brandywine Hundred, January 1931 and Hockessin 1936. The first President, Alice Stevenson of Holloway Terrace, was elected at this time. Mrs. Stevenson served until 1932 at which time Ella Dunsmore of Christiana was elected. In 1933, Nan Laws Woods was installed as President and served until her death in 1951. Nan Laws Woods became a legend in the volunteer auxiliary service. She was instrumental in organizing many of the new auxiliaries and served as Delaware State President for many years. The LANCCVFA became incorporated in 1990 with 21 auxiliaries. Today there are 19 auxiliaries in the Association.
Many things have changed since 1931 when the Association was established when one auxiliary donated $50 to their firemen, which in those days, $50 bought curtains, dishes for the kitchen and two tons of coal. With the drastic inflation from then until today, the auxiliaries have to work very hard to present the many thousands of dollars given to our firemen each year. In 2006, the Ladies Association was able to present to the firemen $394,105.00. Even though times have changed, our goals haven’t – we still strive to serve our firemen and community as best we can.
In the early years, many family functions were held such as Halloween parties, Christmas parties for the kids as well as picnics at Deemers Beach in some instances. This is still done in most companies and has expanded to an annual banquet, at which time the auxiliaries present donations to their firemen.
Parading was also an important event, almost all companies participated. The prizes were smaller then, but the pride was the same as it is now. In 1997, we sponsored our first trophy.
Favorite activities and fundraisers included Bingo and card parties, carnivals, dinners and Minstrel shows, as well as the popular Blanket Clubs. Cooking for the dinners was not an easy chore in the early days either. A wood stove was found in the kitchens, if the firehouses in fact were fortunate enough to have a kitchen. Most of the cooking was done in the homes and then carried to the firehouse. The foods for dinners in the past were begged throughout the community during a door-to-door campaign.
During the war, many firemen were sent away in the Armed Forces, but the fires were still here, which created a great demand for firefighters. Many members of the ladies auxiliaries fulfilled that need. Today, not only are we auxiliary members, but also serve as firefighters and emergency medical technicians and are proud of it.
Todays fundraisers consist of Bingo (regular and basket), public breakfasts and dinners, dances, craft shows, sub sales, reception catering and many other unique events. The most modern kitchen today will boast two eight burner stoves, convection ovens, dishwashers, walk-in refrigerators, freezers as well as washers and dryers. Our fundraisers have expanded outside of our individual auxiliaries to support the county and state associations with participating in the sale of the LADVFA Cookbooks in 1985, participating in the Fire Muster in 1991, the Afghan sale in 1999/2000 and our annual participation in the Fire/EMS Expo which started in 2001. Since 1997 we’ve helped with Fire Prevention at the Delaware State Fair. In 2003 we initiated a County Membership Directory to assist in communications.
Much sunshine has been brought to many auxiliary members as well as firemen through our continued Sunshine work of cards and flowers to the sick and shut in. In 1999, it was decided by the LANCCVFA that a memory book be established for memorializing our deceased members.
In 75 years of service, we have taken on many roles to support the volunteer fire service and have been fortunate enough over these years to make significant changes for our future. In 1985, we played a significant role with the DVFA by providing support to pass House Bill #65 which was a tax credit of $75.00, today it is $400.00. In 1986, we again provided support for the passage of House Bill #423 which provided a Pension Plan for active members. After House Bill #121 had been in existence for a number of years for the funeral benefit for firemen, in 1999 the Bill was amended to include members of the Ladies Auxiliary and the benefit was increased to $6,000. Another Amendment to House Bill #121 was passed in 2005 to increase the funeral benefit to $7,000.
Our bi-annual Banquet has established an evening to socialize with our auxiliary members and their guests. It is time when we recognize and introduce the President and Chief of the individual fire companies to all our auxiliary members. Our Banquet is a time in the present when we stop and take a backward look to see just how far we have come and to show appreciation and gratitude to those who have brought us this far and to fasten our eyes and hearts on a bright and lasting future. It is the hopes and desires of this association to promote harmony with the firemen and support them in any way possible. It is also our mission to stimulate interest in the work of fire prevention and fire protection and to encourage recruitment and retention to the best of our abilities. |
