The Farmville Fire Department Auxiliary celebrated its 70th year, and the community got to celebrate an organization that supports the very firefighters supporting the community.

The event included a raffle with various prizes, doughnuts from Sugar Britches, a bouncy house, a chance for the Farmville Fire Department to demonstrate its equipment, a chance for children to tour both the fire engines the department currently uses and the engine the department used in past years.

To view more photos of the event, click here.

Seven members of the community founded the Farmville Fire Department Auxiliary in 1948.

The founding organization, according to current Auxiliary Secretary Christie Bruce, were spouses, siblings and girlfriends of the firefighters who served on the fire department. They “helped firefighters stay hydrated, nourished while they (were) are on duty.”

Bruce said the auxiliary raises funds for supplies, organizes donations and meal trains for firefighters who become injured. They have a Christmastime fundraiser that supports the fire department. Bruce said they are planning one for this upcoming holiday, but are keeping mum about what the fundraising project for the fire department will be.

The Farmville Fire Department is seeing a milestone as well, approaching its 150th anniversary in 2020

The current Farmville Fire Department Auxiliary, like the year it was founded, also has seven members.

Auxiliary President Carrie Saxtan and Bruce said there are no living founding members of the auxiliary.

“We always come back together as a family, no matter what’s going on,” Bruce said.

For those interested in participating in the auxiliary, visit the Farmville Fire Department Auxiliary Facebook page or call (434) 392-6543