[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13897]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  RECOGNIZING THE LADIES AUXILIARY OF THE WEST TRENTON VOLUNTEER FIRE 
                               DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 1999

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 50th 
anniversary of the Ladies Auxiliary of the West Trenton Volunteer Fire 
Department. Over the last half-century, the women of this organization 
have made a tremendous contribution to their community by lending both 
financial and moral support to the members of the Fire Department.
  Founded on June 8, 1949, the Ladies Auxiliary focused from the very 
beginning on innovative and creative fundraising ventures. The first 
year, members assisted the firemen with a Block Dance by volunteering 
as food stand operators and Bingo judges. They also threw a Halloween 
Party in the fall. By December 1949, the Auxiliary was able to present 
the Fire Department with a check for $200.
  In the years since, the Auxiliary's yearly donations have grown. The 
first $5000 check was presented in 1972, followed by a record $17,600 
check in 1976. Fundraisers including organized trips to dinner shows, 
pasta dinners, and flea markets have continued to garner large sums in 
recent years, and the annual Dinner-Dance has become a township 
tradition. The funds collected over the years have helped ensure that 
the West Trenton Fire Department can serve the community effectively.
  The Ladies Auxiliary has had a long and rich history on the county 
and state levels. They have marched in the State Fair and at July 4th 
parades, are a part of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Mercer County 
Firemen's Association, and have several Life Members who have joined 
the State Auxiliary. At their 50th Anniversary Dinner-Dance on June 19, 
they honored three still-active original charter members: Kitty 
Canulli, Edith Guadagno, and Grace Diesel Wilwol.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the past and present 
members of the Ladies Auxiliary to the West Trenton Fire Department on 
their 50th anniversary. Their dedication to the community is to be 
commended, and I send them my warmest wishes for another successful 50 
years.

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