Annual turkey feed helps fund fire deparment

KIMBALL, Wis. — It was turkey with all the fixings all Sunday afternoon at the Kimball Volunteer Fire Department’s 33rd annual Turkey Dinner fundraiser.

Fire Chief John Smith called the turn out “very good” with a mid-afternoon rush that pushed the number of diners to more than 800 by 3 p.m.

More were expected before closing at 5.

The money raised each year helps the department with purchasing all sorts of equipment and training,

Smith said. “We buy gear, hoses, all sorts of things. It helps take the pressure off the town’s budget. We’re able to replace equipment and buy the things we need.”

Smith said the equipment is quite expensive for a small fire department, but it all has to be approved by the proper safety organization, and that stamp of approval comes with a higher price tag.

Smith thanked the volunteers that make the annual fundraiser possible.

“We have a lot of support. Without it, we’d be dead in the water,” Smith said. “We had a lot of people helping, groups of people, including two 4-H clubs. We also had a number of businesses support us. I can’t thank everyone enough. Their help is key, key to what we do as a department.”