To the Editor:

It’s hard to believe that the Firehouse Ride has been successfully generating thousands of dollars towards the Newtown Hook & Ladder Fire Department for ten years now — considering the conception of the ride was the brainstorm idea of three friends sitting at a local pub, knocking back some cold refreshments while outlining the details of a fundraiser on the back of two paper plates!

Ten years ago, the headquarters for the Newtown Hook & Ladder Fire Department was a dilapidated, deteriorated structure located at 45 Main Street. Built in the 1930s, the building was turned over to the Board of Fire Commissioners in 1947, when the first headquarters truck was delivered.

Even after an addition in 1947 and another in 1969, the town’s oldest fire company outgrew the space. In addition to inadequate room for storage and operations, by 2010, the building suffered from major structural repair with the foundation, leaking roofs, an antiquated heating system, and electrical wiring problems. In spite of all the building’s problems and issues, NH&L continually operated out of the facility 24/7, providing the most professional level of service to the district and to the Town of Newtown.

Finally, in 2015, after years of fundraising efforts, and with the help of so many of our loyal and generous donors, NH&L broke ground on the new firehouse site. The volunteer members of NH&L are proud and honored to call 12 Church Hill Road their new home and offer an open invitation the public to tour the facility, visit the museum, and consider becoming a volunteer of the department.

The annual Firehouse Ride has become the most successful fundraiser for the department. Over the past ten years, the Ride has generated over $200,000 in donations to Newtown Hook & Ladder.

We could not have done this without the support of many of our considerate, loyal, dedicated donors. We would like to offer a sincere, special thank you to the following: Jim McInerney, Gary Fafard, Dan Calandro (Smokey Mountain Chew), The Borough of Newtown, The Law Offices of James O. Gaston, Kortze Brothers Wealth Management, The Spinner Family, Hometown Fuel, Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Department, Michael McCarthy, Joe Miller-JCM Construction, The Liska Family, Rob and Necole Manna-LRM, Inc, the Pendergast Family, Newtown Savings Bank, Mike’s Towing and Collision, Associated Refuse, Claris Construction, Chris Hagerty-Oak Street Design & Construction, Claris Construction, Right At Home, McKenney Mechanical, and JP Maguire, as we recognize them as our continuous high-level sponsors.

In addition to thanking all of our sponsors, we would like to thank all the volunteers who have given their time and efforts to this event each year. [This year’s ride takes place Saturday, September 28. For information, visit nhlfd.com.]

Thank you to everyone who has continually helped make this event a successful and truly enjoyable day!

Necole Manna, Co-Organizer

Newtown Hook & Ladder Firehouse Ride

c/o LRM, Inc

Commerce Road, Newtown September 17, 2019