Auxiliary
The Ladies Auxiliary of the Christiana Volunteer Fire Company was organized on February 16, 1922, one year following the founding of the Fire Company, at a meeting of 48 ladies in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Peters. Christiana was the third auxiliary in the State of Delaware to organize, proceeded by Cranston Heights in 1920, and Elsmere in 1921.
Officers were elected for six-month terms, which was later extended to twelve-month terms. The first President was Mrs. Sadie Appleby; Vice President, Mrs. Effa B. Thorp; Secretary, Miss Mary Eastburn; and Treasurer, Mrs. May Butler. Meetings were held at various members' homes and always opened with the Lord's Prayer (as they are today) and followed by selections on the victrola. Dues were 10 cents per month, which were later reduced to 5 cents, then raised again to 10 cents per month, in 1948. The first money raising committee was termed "Begging Committee. H The first motion passed was money for lemons and sugar for lemonade taken out of the treasury. In July 1922, proceeds of $30.39, earned from the first box social held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Butler, was turned over to the firemen to assist with the purchase of a new fire engine.
Our first Parade Unit was formed in 1930. Members of the Auxiliary made their own uniforms, which consisted of white dresses and matching white caps. In 1966 new military type uniforms were purchased. The Parade Unit changed uniforms again in 1975, at which time they went to gold blazers with navy blue pants. In 1982, the Parade Unit decided to return to skirts, which were made by Auxiliary members, Pat McCall and Diane Connelly.
During World War II activities were slowed due to war shortages. The Auxiliary participated in donations to the Red Cross and Cancer Control, purchased War Bonds, and made surgical dressings every Monday night. They established a fund for wounded men's telephone calls and sent Christmas packages, cards and letters to our service men.
After the War, they resumed their former routine of making money and helping the Fire Company. Money was raised by holding Bingo parties, dinners, soup sales, bakes, and chancing off items. During the 1940's, the Auxiliary purchased and installed inlaid linoleum in the fire house, new cabinets and a gas range. In 1946, the Auxiliary By• Laws were revised to comply with the state requirements of members being a minimum of 18 years of age. 1946 was also the first year we delivered fruit baskets to our sick and shut•in, which is a practice continued today.
During the 1950's, the Auxiliary continued with their fund raising projects and were able to purchase a steam table, kitchen supplies, and chairs as well as donate over $8,000 to the firemen. The Auxiliary began taking yearly trips to Atlantic City or Hershey Park. In 1952, they purchased auxiliary pins and sold them to each member who wanted one. They also celebrated their 30th Anniversary with a covered dish dinner and invited the firemen. In 1957, they joined the Mutual Relief Association and in 1959 they presented a Bronze Memorial Plaque to the Fire Company, which hangs in front of the Firehouse today.
During the 1960's, over $22,000 was donated to the firemen. The Auxiliary also purchased kitchen supplies, card table, a range, and a Hobart Mixer. In 1%1, we had our first combined Anniversary Banquet with the firemen which was held in our engine bays. Motions were passed for members at age 65 to become Life Members; to pay for rooms for Delegates and Alternates at our State Convention; and for Life Members to be our guest at Our annual banquet. In 1965, service pins for 10, 15and 25 years of service were presented. In 1932, Ella M. Dunsmore served as President of The County Association. In 1966, we were honored to endorse Betty Burge as Secretary of our County Association. Betty held this position through 1967.
During the 1970's, the Auxiliary became very busy with catering jobs in our new banquet hall. We were also honored to have a member of our auxiliary, Charlotte Bush, hold the office of President of New Castle County Ladies Auxiliary in 1971 and 1972. In 1979, Charlotte became our first Auxiliary member to hold the office of President of The Delaware Ladies Auxiliary Association and officiate the meetings of our State Convention which was hosted jointly by the Christiana Firemen and Auxiliary.
During the 1980's we were once again honored with the endorsements of Julie Rentz as County Secretary 1983•84; Assistant State Secretary 1986•88; and State Secretary, 1989 through present; and Pat McCall as County President in 1989 and 1990. In 1988, the Auxiliary purchased and housed for the firemen a 1988 Chevrolet Van.
In 1990, the Auxiliary presented their firemen with a check in the amount of $23,000 t their annual banquet. In conclusion, we feel our accomplishments have been made possible by the fortitude and continuance of our fire fighters and auxiliary members working together, always cooperating and our belief in the service to mankind. We are ever mindful that what we do is voluntary and that we are an auxiliary to our Fire Company.
Officers were elected for six-month terms, which was later extended to twelve-month terms. The first President was Mrs. Sadie Appleby; Vice President, Mrs. Effa B. Thorp; Secretary, Miss Mary Eastburn; and Treasurer, Mrs. May Butler. Meetings were held at various members' homes and always opened with the Lord's Prayer (as they are today) and followed by selections on the victrola. Dues were 10 cents per month, which were later reduced to 5 cents, then raised again to 10 cents per month, in 1948. The first money raising committee was termed "Begging Committee. H The first motion passed was money for lemons and sugar for lemonade taken out of the treasury. In July 1922, proceeds of $30.39, earned from the first box social held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Butler, was turned over to the firemen to assist with the purchase of a new fire engine.
Our first Parade Unit was formed in 1930. Members of the Auxiliary made their own uniforms, which consisted of white dresses and matching white caps. In 1966 new military type uniforms were purchased. The Parade Unit changed uniforms again in 1975, at which time they went to gold blazers with navy blue pants. In 1982, the Parade Unit decided to return to skirts, which were made by Auxiliary members, Pat McCall and Diane Connelly.
During World War II activities were slowed due to war shortages. The Auxiliary participated in donations to the Red Cross and Cancer Control, purchased War Bonds, and made surgical dressings every Monday night. They established a fund for wounded men's telephone calls and sent Christmas packages, cards and letters to our service men.
After the War, they resumed their former routine of making money and helping the Fire Company. Money was raised by holding Bingo parties, dinners, soup sales, bakes, and chancing off items. During the 1940's, the Auxiliary purchased and installed inlaid linoleum in the fire house, new cabinets and a gas range. In 1946, the Auxiliary By• Laws were revised to comply with the state requirements of members being a minimum of 18 years of age. 1946 was also the first year we delivered fruit baskets to our sick and shut•in, which is a practice continued today.
During the 1950's, the Auxiliary continued with their fund raising projects and were able to purchase a steam table, kitchen supplies, and chairs as well as donate over $8,000 to the firemen. The Auxiliary began taking yearly trips to Atlantic City or Hershey Park. In 1952, they purchased auxiliary pins and sold them to each member who wanted one. They also celebrated their 30th Anniversary with a covered dish dinner and invited the firemen. In 1957, they joined the Mutual Relief Association and in 1959 they presented a Bronze Memorial Plaque to the Fire Company, which hangs in front of the Firehouse today.
During the 1960's, over $22,000 was donated to the firemen. The Auxiliary also purchased kitchen supplies, card table, a range, and a Hobart Mixer. In 1%1, we had our first combined Anniversary Banquet with the firemen which was held in our engine bays. Motions were passed for members at age 65 to become Life Members; to pay for rooms for Delegates and Alternates at our State Convention; and for Life Members to be our guest at Our annual banquet. In 1965, service pins for 10, 15and 25 years of service were presented. In 1932, Ella M. Dunsmore served as President of The County Association. In 1966, we were honored to endorse Betty Burge as Secretary of our County Association. Betty held this position through 1967.
During the 1970's, the Auxiliary became very busy with catering jobs in our new banquet hall. We were also honored to have a member of our auxiliary, Charlotte Bush, hold the office of President of New Castle County Ladies Auxiliary in 1971 and 1972. In 1979, Charlotte became our first Auxiliary member to hold the office of President of The Delaware Ladies Auxiliary Association and officiate the meetings of our State Convention which was hosted jointly by the Christiana Firemen and Auxiliary.
During the 1980's we were once again honored with the endorsements of Julie Rentz as County Secretary 1983•84; Assistant State Secretary 1986•88; and State Secretary, 1989 through present; and Pat McCall as County President in 1989 and 1990. In 1988, the Auxiliary purchased and housed for the firemen a 1988 Chevrolet Van.
In 1990, the Auxiliary presented their firemen with a check in the amount of $23,000 t their annual banquet. In conclusion, we feel our accomplishments have been made possible by the fortitude and continuance of our fire fighters and auxiliary members working together, always cooperating and our belief in the service to mankind. We are ever mindful that what we do is voluntary and that we are an auxiliary to our Fire Company.
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