Cool treats for hot work

When there's a fire in Bell Buckle, the Bell Buckle Volunteer Fire department is there to fight it. When there's a wreck, an injury, or anything else they can help with, the volunteer firefighters and rescue workers are there for the community.

Now's the chance for the community to be there for the firefighters. On Saturday, beginning at 5 p.m., the Bell Buckle Volunteer Fire Department's Auxiliary is holding its second annual Ice Cream Social at the fire hall, but there will be a lot more than ice cream involved.

"There will be food, hamburgers, hot dogs, and ice cream," said Celia Mykus, a member of the Auxiliary. "There's going to be a dunking booth, children's games and live music."

The Auxiliary helps support the volunteer firefighters and is a way for those who are unable to actually fight fires to contribute to the community's well being. The Auxiliary brings food and drink to the scenes as the VFD battles a blaze or works a wreck, and the auxiliary also raises money.

"We had the first ice cream social last year and it went so well we decided to make it an annual thing," Mykus said. "All the money we raise with this ice cream social goes to buying the protective gear for the fire department. Being a volunteer fire department, they tend to get hand-me-downs, whatever's left over."

She said the Auxiliary wants better for the Bell Buckle VFD.

Fire Chief Ronnie Lokey has always pushed education as a form of fire prevention, and the ice cream social will be no exception.

"We'll have the smoke house if people want to go through it," said Mykus. "And there will be tours of the fire trucks for the kids and the adults -- the big kids."

Mykus said there are also plans for a live auction and several items have already been donated, including a hand-made fishing rod by Joe Sheetz Jr.