Auction supports Plains-Paradise Rural Fire

On an overcast day with a light rain falling in the Plains area, a group of hearty volunteers and an equally hearty bunch of buyers came together Saturday morning to support a good cause.

The event was the First Annual Auction to support the Plains-Paradise Rural Fire Department and the Plains Lions Club, held on the grounds of the fire department north of town.

With the corona virus taking away the primary funding source for the PPRFD, Lions Club members scrambled to replace the approximately $5,000 generated each year by the club’s participation in the popular Demolition Derby that was part of the Labor Day Sanders County Fair.

With the Fair and most associated events cancelled due to Co-vid concerns, the Lions Club was in need of an alternate funding source.

“This is our first try at this (auction),” said Lions Club member and current volunteer firefighter Ken Matthiesen. “We were hoping for some better weather but we are also hoping this can become a suitable replacement.”

Funds generated by the auction will go to helping the PPRFD buy some basic equipment needed by the fire department.

“We don’t use this money to pay our light bills,” said Fire Chief James Russell. “We use it to buy gloves, personal protective equipment (PPE), safety glasses and other things like headlamps for the firefighters”.

Proceeds are shared equally between the two groups involved, with the Lions Club using some of the money to help support its signature effort to provide eye care and glasses for people throughout the area.

One of those attending the sale was Plains resident Glen Cummings. “I’ve had my eye on the new chainsaw they are going to auction off,” said Cummings, who donated a small trailer full of chairs and cabinets to the auction. “This is for a good cause and these days it costs more to get a chainsaw worked on than it does to buy a new one.”

Matthiesen said approximately 100 blocks of items had been collected and delivered from donors throughout the area. During the auction the blocks were bid on in total or individual items from among the collection of merchandise.

Studs Lumber of Plains donated the chainsaw and Gambles donated a brand new bicycle as part of the fundraiser.

Chris Borntreger, manager of the Butcher’s Nook delicatessen on Plains’ north side served as the auctioneer, barking bids and encouraging buyers while standing in an ATV that cruised between the aisles of donated good.

A wide range of items from furniture to rugs to nuts and bolts were available for purchase.

Mathiesen said the Lions Club also hosts an Easter event, along with the Church on the Move, that helps generate funds for the Club’s charitable efforts. He noted the funds that are used annually to support the existence and maintenance of the town’s wading pool as an example.

While the turnout was not initially as large has hoped for, mostly because of the weather and smokey skies, it was a good start for what Lions Club members hope could become an annual event.

Those items not sold at the auction will remain available for purchase. Interested shoppers can call 826-3900 or (520) 559-0529 for information.