The membership of the Oldwick Fire Company is grateful to our neighbors in Tewksbury for their long-standing support, including fundraising. Volunteer donations are a large part of the company operating budget.
The 1923 department held the first ‘chicken supper’ fundraiser in 1925 and raised $221 and $217 in 1926. These were significant sums as the first fire truck budget was $1250. This group also ran a ‘500 Party’ for fundraising.
The main fundraiser when the fire company restarted in 1938 was the Fireman’s Carnival. This was held each August on the site of the current firehouse. It was a three day town-wide activity and included dancing, raffles, a large band and many food stands. In 1938 the raffle first prize was a 6 cubic foot refrigerator. In 1949, first prize was a TV. The carnival activities stopped due to NJ state regulations on ‘games of chance’
The membership has held many different fundraisers throughout the years including:
- Turkey Raffle
- Lottery
- Ham Supper
- Auction Sale
- Roast Beef Dinner
- Circus
- Rummage Sale
- Flea Market
- Steak Dinner
- Pancake Breakfast
- Clam bake
- Cook book
- Selling fire extinguishers
- Candy Sale
- Coin Toss
Often the above events were town/township wide events and were an opportunity for neighbors to get together. This tradition is continued with Sunday morning pancake breakfasts. With the opening of the new firehouse the first of several ‘Firehouse Galas’ were held. These events included dinner, dancing and silent auctions.