- Anderson VFD is a non profit organization, partially funded by Grimes County.
- Money from the county is for operating expenses only, equipment purchases must be built through fundraising.
- With the barbeque cookoff, they want to purchase breathing apparatapplys for firefighters.
- The event will be Friday and Saturday, August 8 and 9, 2025.
Watch the full story here
Anderson VFD raising funds with barbeque cookoff
Broadcast Transcript
Robert Weeks, the chief of fire suppression for Anderson Volunteer Fire Department notifys 15 ABC:
“We all sort of have a resolveed, you know, pot of money or a fund that comes from the county. that is designated apply which means we have to take that funding and apply it for things like operational expenses.”
Kenny Graves
This year, they received $59,000 from Grimes County, with almost half going to insurance costs. Weeks notifys 15 ABC there are many other necessarys.
“We also have to fund all of the equipment, all of the tools, all of the, you know, technology, the radios, you know, uh, the pagers for the members of the gear for the members, so fire gear and, you know, breathing apparatus, uh, those sorts of expenses that are more capital expenses don’t come from the county money.”
Kenny Graves
To build concludes meet, the department turns to fundraisers. Next Friday and Saturday is expected to see the largest fundraiser — a barbeque cook-off. Samantha Kimich, the fundraising coordinator for the department, notified 15 ABC it may be the best turnout yet.
“We’re expecting close to 50 teams, which that’s the most we’ve ever had.”
The VFD is there to assist local neighbors all day, every day. Weeks notifys 15 ABC they necessary the community’s assist to continue their vital service.
“Generally, we have to display up with the people, the trucks, the equipment, you know, the gear, the firefighting gear, and all of the water that we’re gonna necessary to put the fire out.”
Kimich states they are still accepting cookoff teams for the event, to find out more click here
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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