The Local Grill Helps AVFD Raise Over $1,000

Butch Tougas (center), co-owner of The Local Grill, presents a check for $840 to Avon Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD) Chief Michael Trick (right) and AVFD Fire Police and fundraising committee member Dennis Bianchi at the AVFD’s May Corporation Meeting.

On April 22, people who enjoyed dinner at The Local Grill in Riverdale Farms also did a good deed. The Local Grill donated 20 percent of proceeds from the evening’s sales, as well as matched the donation, for a total contribution of $840 to the Avon Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD). In addition, diners also offered cash donations totaling $305. In total, the event raised $1,145 and the money goes to help the AVFD in its effort to raise $500,000 for its share of the live fire training facility to be built in Farmington.

“Some of our volunteer members, my wife and I included, were among the patrons at The Local Grill that night,” says AFVD Chief Michael Trick. “We all had wonderful meals and are very thankful to owners Butch Tougas and Mark Resnisky for their generosity and to those who came out to help us move closer to our fundraising goal.”

When it comes to fire training, there’s no such thing as enough. As volunteers who train to the level of career firefighter, members of the AVFD are required to recertify at least annually. The AVFD is partnering with the Farmington Fire Department to build a new live fire training facility, allowing members to retain the proficiency of their special skills. AVFD members will be able to practice and improve their skills in a realistic setting with a more reasonable time commitment, learning how to better protect themselves so they can better protect the residents of Avon and their property.

The AVFD is all-volunteer and funded by the Town of Avon. However, the town budget is unable to provide complete funding for the Live Fire Training Facility and the Department must raise $500,000 by July 2014. Upcoming fundraisers include a golf tournament on August 11 at Farmington Woods.

Incorporated in 1943, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department proudly protects more than 18,000 people living in the 22.6 square mile area that makes up the Town of Avon. The Department’s mission is to provide fire suppression and prevention, life safety and rescue support, as well as other community support to the citizens of the Town of Avon. In addition, the Department provides mutual aid support to those surrounding communities that, in time of need, may request such assistance.

Staffed entirely by volunteers, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department prides itself on the selflessness and dedication of its members – firefighters, fire police, administrative members, Explorers, active veterans, senior veterans, and associate members, all of whom play a vital role in the safety of Avon. The Department operates six companies and 15 pieces of apparatus, including a brush truck, ladder truck, tanker, rescue vehicle, boat, and pumpers. Four stations are located throughout Town – Company 1 on Darling Drive, Company 2 on Secret Lake Road, Company 3 on West Avon Road, and Company 4 on Huckleberry Hill Road. Anyone interested in learning more about the AVFD should call the Avon Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD) at 677-2644, visit www.avonvfd.org, connect on Facebook at AvonVFD, or stop by the Company 1 firehouse located at 25 Darling Drive any Monday evening after 7:00.