Millheim Fire Co. holds fundraiser; shows support for local DJ battling cancer
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MILLHEIM -- Like a lot of other fire companies these days, Millheim Fire Company holds a drawing to raise funds to support their budget.
Millheim Fire Company's second annual cash and gun drawing was held at the fire station grounds last Saturday afternoon.
Along with fire chief Delmar Homan, many of the volunteer firefighters and EMTs were on hand to help sell rip tickets, 50/50 tickets and to keep the food containers full for patrons.
Cory and Jeremy Lingle and their kitchen helpers were responsible for keeping the hot sausage sandwiches, French fries and hamburgers hot and ready throughout the afternoon. There was also a variety of other foods as well as homemade cookies to round out the menu.
Along with guns listed on the ticket, there were several large cash prizes of $1,000, $2,000 and $5,000 appearing on the ticket stubs that were awarded during the afternoon.
A fire safe with three mystery guns locked inside with a value of about $1,500 was one of the last prizes to be awarded. The mystery guns are kept a secret until the safe is opened for the winner. This year there was a .22 rifle, a shotgun and a .243 rifle.
As with all first responders, when the pager sounds, day or night, they're ready to respond and their neighboring firefighting comrades are ready and willing to help, too!
Members of the Sugar Valley Fire Company spent the afternoon in Millheim on a station stand-by, ready to tackle any local emergencies so that the Millheim members could focus on their fundraising event.
DJ Ricky LaPean accompanied by his wife, Erin, provided his services during the afternoon as well, handling the music and wielding the microphone to announce the various winners as their names or ticket numbers were being drawn. Ricky and Erin live in Millheim, and they are always happy to support the fire company's fundraising endeavors.
Just like other small towns, word travels fast when there's a crisis or a triumph, and it's during those tough times that families and friends rally to support those they love and appreciate.
On Saturday during the fire company's gun drawing, firefighter Hunter Homan took the microphone and made an announcement that some already knew and that others who didn't know now do.
Ricky LaPean, or "Rick Rock," and as the morning radio show host on Qwik Rock, WQWK-FM, has been diagnosed with colon cancer and is now recovering from surgery.
In the back of his mind Ricky wasn't sure he wanted to be around too many people so close to the surgery but finally decided that he was going to come, be the DJ, have a good time and make sure that others had a good time, too! It would be a few hours where his mind would be off the cancer and the upcoming surgery.
Many people spoke to Rick and Erin personally throughout the afternoon, offering their encouragement and well wishes.
And, Millheim Fire Company showed one of their own just how important he is to the community. After making the announcement of Ricky's cancer diagnosis, unbeknownst to Ricky, Homan took a fireman's boot down the aisles and around the tables for folks to drop a few bucks in for our friend and his family.
And when the presentation of the funds and Homan's announcement that just a little over $900 had been collected, both Ricky and Erin were humbled. It took both of them a few moments to dry their eyes before Ricky was able to thank everyone, and then Ricky made the bold statement of "I'm going to fight this," and the crowd erupted in cheers to hear those words.
Just before the Millheim Fire Company's gun drawing event ended, all joined in to sing the chorus of 'Sweet Caroline' together. Good times never seemed so good!
In support of Ricky and his family, the Millheim American Legion will be hosting a benefit for Ricky LaPean, "Cornhole Against Cancer Tournament," on Saturday, April 27. Registration begins at noon and bags will fly at 1 p.m. The cost for a two person team is $30. There will also be a Chinese/Basket Auction and a benefit meal will be available for purchase starting at 4 p.m. The meal will include pulled pork, cowboy baked beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw and corn bread for $15. Basket donations and gift cards for the benefit are being accepted, and there will also be a donation jar at the Legion for those who want to contribute to the LaPean family. Send an email to Millheimlegion@gmail.com or call 814-349-8367 for benefit info.