WARWICK — Come Saturday, local residents can eat spaghetti to help the Warwick Fire Department build its new station.
The Warwick Firemen’s Association is holding its annual spaghetti supper Saturday starting at 6 p.m. in Town Hall, with proceeds supporting the station’s construction.
According to Warwick Fire Chief Ron Gates, the department began construction of the new station on Orange Road last March, hoping to expand from its much smaller station nearby on Hastings Pond Road, which was built in 1952.
With many of the firefighters having construction and excavation backgrounds, Gates said the firefighters have built the station from the ground up. The Warwick Firemen’s Association has also done all its own fundraising for the material costs of the project.
Though firefighters are putting the finishing touches on the main portion of the building housing the department’s vehicles, Gates said construction isn’t over yet.
“We still have the addition that we’re planning to start this spring,” he said. The 24-by-80-foot addition would house a training room and various office space.
“We still need to raise about $40,000 to complete it,” Gates continued, with hope that construction will be complete before winter returns in late 2017.
To help raise money, the association is turning to its usual fundraisers, such as the spaghetti dinner, and summertime chicken barbeque and softball tournament.
“We usually try to have a couple (fundraisers) a year,” Gates said. The spaghetti supper has been a Warwick favorite for at least five years, Gates continued, packing the Town Hall with dinner guests.
The menu includes spaghetti, meatballs, salad, rolls and beverages. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12 years old. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, with half of the event proceeds going to the winner, Gates said.
Gates said tickets can be purchased in advance from him or any of the firefighters, or at the door. Call Gates at 978-544-8052 to purchase tickets in advance.
Reach Shelby Ashline at:
sashline@recorder.com
413-772-0261, ext. 257