Rochelle Simonds, Treasurer for the Hoodland Fire District (HFD) Volunteer
Support Group, noted the annual garage sale started sometime in the 1980s
as a way for the district to buy new gear.

“There wasn’t any money, it was all volunteer,” she said.

Now, however, the group runs the sale, with proceeds used to give children in
the community free bike helmets as part of EMS Day. This year’s sale,
including a barbeque, will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at the
district’s main station, 69634 Hwy. 26 in Welches.

HFD Chief Mic Eby, who started giving away bike helmets years ago before
the district got involved, noted it's not just a matter of giving away helmets,
but also teaching kids how to put it on correctly and why wearing a helmet is
important.

For the sale, the HFD empties out the bays at the main station, while anybody
who wants to sell can reserve a table for $15 (tables are already sold out for
this year). Sellers have offered a wide range of items in the past, including
motorcycles, furniture, clothes, tools and more.

“You name it, there’s just tons of different things,” Simonds said. “It’s a big,
huge social event. A lot of people show up.”

The support group provides meals and other support for the district’s
firefighters, including cooking on late night calls and making lunches for “Burn
to Learn” events. The group, open to anyone who wants to join, meets at 7
p.m. on the first Monday of each month at the main fire station.

Eby noted the support from the group is extremely important to the district,
recalling how special it is to return from a call late at night and a hot meal is
waiting for them at the station.

“They do it all hours at night, no matter when we have a call,” Eby said.
“We’re so grateful to them.”

Hood to Coast and Fill the Boot
Runners won’t be the only people out in the community when the annual Hood
to Coast relay happens on Friday, Aug. 26. HFD’s firefighters will be out and
about as part of “Fill the Boot,” an effort to raise money for the Muscular
Dystrophy Association.

Firefighters are expected to be at the stoplight at Hwy. 26 and Welches Road
between approximately 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., as well as in the Hoodland
Shopping Center. And new this year, donations will be accepted via credit
cards or online (please choose Hoodland Fire District as the fire department).
Evan Jarvis, Senior Firefighter/Paramedic for the HFD, noted that last year the
district raised more than $3,000.

“Our goal this year would be to beat that,” Jarvis said, adding that it will be
important for drivers to pay attention, slow down and keep an eye out for
runners during the Hood to Coast relay.