This year’s annual East Limestone Volunteer Fire Department chicken stew fundraiser is a special one.

The stew, which will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the East Fire Department at 15801 East Limestone Road, has a lot riding on it.

“This year it is more important than ever because of our capital investments, the new station and equipment,” said firefighter Kasey Brown.

Such fundraisers, he said, will be “more important over the next few years” to cover East’s improvements.

“Unlike municipal departments, East Limestone does not receive adequate funding to fully operate during the course of the year,” Brown said. “With more than 1,000 calls for service last calendar year, East Limestone has continually relied on donations and fundraisers to fund operational expenses.”

Improvements

Because of the rapid growth of the East Limestone area and the increasing number of calls for help, Brown said the department developed and approved a managed growth plan. He said East VFD has already reached the following milestones:

• Received low-interest financing from the United States Department of Agriculture to buy a new fire engine, a loan that must be repaid over the next 15 years;

• Hired E-One of Ocala, Florida, to build the new fire engine, which is already under construction and should be delivered by March;

• Started groundwork and preparation for a Fire Station 2 on Capshaw Road, which it is hoped will be finished this summer.

Drawings of the new station and pictures of the fire engine would be available for viewing at the stew, he said. Also, firefighters will be available to speak with visitors about the expansion or answer other questions.

Fire department improvements, especially an additional station, help improve fire-insurance ratings because they put equipment and firefighters closer to your property, official have said. Lower fire-insurance ratings typically translate into lower insurance rates for customers.

Fighting annexation

In addition to keeping you and your property safe, there is another reason East VFD is trying to improve fire and emergency service in East Limestone.

“What we’re trying to do is make the services in the county comparable to other city’s services so people won’t want to be annexed,” Brown said. “We are fighting annexation. The city of Huntsville is a half-mile from my house. People want to move away from the city to pay less taxes but they want the same services.”

Special partner

This year’s stew will be even more of a team effort.

“This year we are teaming up with the nonprofit Modern Woodmen of America,” Brown said. “The Modern Woodmen will match any proceeds raised at the chicken stew, so this is a win-win for the fire department and the community.”

The Woodmen, a tax-exempt fraternal benefit society with 750,000 members nationwide, will have a booth set up at the fundraiser and have information available about their organization and its products, such as life insurance and annuity and investment products, Brown said.

What about the fire fee?

Like the 12 other volunteer fire departments in Limestone County, East depends on fundraisers like its annual chicken stew to help meet expenses. The money they receive from the county fire fee is “not enough money to operate each year,” Brown said.

Stew 

Although the price for this year’s stew has not yet been set, stew will be sold by the gallon or in smaller amounts if desired, as always, Brown said.