Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades raise $600 through monthly bottle and can collection

Volunteers with the Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades load a trailer with returnable bottles and cans collected during the organization's monthly fundraiser. The latest collection raised $600 to support the preservation and restoration of historic firefighting vehicles and artifacts. Pictured from left are Blain Bechthold, Doug Ferguson, Paul Shantz, Peter Gingerich, Phoenix, a guest volunteer from Dundas, Nob Bender, Kyle McGrath and Lyle Shantz. Contributed photo

By Gary West

If there is one organization in the Baden and New Hamburg area that exemplifies hard work and dedication to preserving local history, it is the Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades.

Thanks to the continued generosity of local residents, the organization raised $600 through its monthly collection of empty bottles and cans, which volunteers returned to The Beer Store in New Hamburg last week.

Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades president Peter Gingerich recently expressed his gratitude to the many residents who continue to support the organization through its fundraising initiatives, including its popular monthly 50/50 draw.

The draw has raised thousands of dollars to help support the organization’s efforts while also giving participants the opportunity to win cash prizes.

Another successful fundraiser is the monthly collection of returnable bottles and cans, held on the last Saturday of each month. Gingerich thanked residents of Baden, New Hamburg and the surrounding area for their continued contributions, which have helped make the collection one of the organization's most successful ongoing fundraising initiatives.

Money raised through these efforts helps maintain the brigade's collection of historic fire vehicles in working condition while supporting the restoration and preservation of other firefighting artifacts housed at its museum beside the Baden fire hall.

Gingerich also extended a special thank you to the staff at The Beer Store in New Hamburg for their assistance and good spirits whenever volunteers arrive with a truck and trailer full of returnable bottles and cans.

With the continued support of the community, the Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades can carry on its work preserving an important piece of the area's firefighting history for future generations.