ASHVILLE - The Chautauqua Lake Auction Center and Banquet Facility, located at the former Ashville Fire Department Training Center, 2118 Magnolia Ave., Ashville, will host a benefit dinner and auction Monday, Dec. 19, for two Panama firemen injured recently fighting a fire in Blockville.
The meal will start at 4:30 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m., with the auction starting at 6:30 p.m.
Adam Kester and David Dole were severely injured when the Panama Volunteer Fire Department was fighting a fire on the corner of Blockville-Open Meadows Road and Route 474. They are hospitalized in Erie, with both facing rehabilitation and permanent injury.
Jim and Judy Wroda are asking the public to support the firefighters and their families. Kester has five children, all girls, between the ages of 3 and 10. The Wrodas are also asking the community to help ensure these young ladies will have a nice Christmas by bringing small gift items to the facility on or before Dec. 19. To make arrangements to bring items, for the benefit dinner or the auction, call Ms. Wroda at 526-4230. Ms. Wroda said Kester's girls wear sizes 7-8, 10-12, 6-7 and 3-4 clothes. Two of the girls are 9, almost 10, another is 8, another is 7 and the youngest is 3 years old.
Tickets can be purchased from Ms. Wroda, Marsha Vergith and Julie Reynolds, who are associated with the Ashville Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. If there are tickets remaining, they will be available at the door. Tickets are $10 each for the dinner. Cash donations will also be accepted, with checks to be made payable to Chautauqua Lake Banquet Facility.
The auction will include items donated from various businesses and individuals. So far, there are old coins, an original John Andrea painting, some antique glassware and various items that are being donated by an individual from Ohio in the auction.
The community is invited to either or both events - there is no admission fee for the benefit auction. The Wrodas are asking any business that would like to help in some way to donate an item for the auction or perhaps sponsor a table at the dinner. The company's name will be placed on the centerpiece of that table, and any amount is appreciated. Anyone interested can call Ms. Wroda at 526-4230.
Several area businesses have donated some food and other items for the dinner. Dave Waller, owner of Save-A-Lot on Fluvanna Avenue in Jamestown, has donated all of the vegetables for the dinner while Steve Senske, owner of Farm Fresh Foods located on Third Street in Jamestown, has offered pork loins for the occasion.
The auction center is taking monetary donations to be divided equally between both families involved or to be used for the dinner.
The Wrodas, and all others involved in the planning of this event, are hoping to serve at least 200 meals. All items to be auctioned off can be viewed starting at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19.
The Wrodas are not taking any funds to cover any costs of the event. No commission will be taken on the auction sales and no person or business who donates an item for the auction will make a profit. All of the proceeds will go directly to Dole and Kester.