Hainesville VFD stew fundraiser Nov. 9

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The Hainesville Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the 40th Annual Sam White Stew & Auction to be held Nov. 9 at 5 p.m.

The department has over 20 volunteers and serves a rural area of 5,400 Wood County citizens in the southern and southeastern part of the county covering 100 square miles. The department was established in 1979.

For many decades, the late Sam White cooked his famous stew as part of the department’s fundraising efforts. The education building, formerly the Hainesville First Baptist Church, is named in honor of White, and the annual event is named in his honor.

This fundraiser is vital to the daily needs of the Hainesville Fire Department. This year funding assistance will help to pay for major repairs incurred on the front line fire engine. 

Chief Cory Clanton is excited about this year’s event. “We also have been awarded a $220,000 grant that requires a 10% match and your support insures our ability to receive the new fire engine currently under construction,” Clanton said. “This year we will have expertly prepared beef stew; true to Sam White’s tradition of excellence. We will also have smoked boudin and gumbo on the menu. The wonderful homemade desserts are always a treat.”

As always the auction will have hand crafted local items available with Kelly Conley as the auctioneer.

This year they are raffling a Smith & Wesson M/P AR 15 .223, a hunting knife or a spa treatment in Longview at The Copper Tree. Tickets available from any member.

Clanton said residents can donate to the department at any time. “If you are unable to attend this year’s event we would still appreciate your monetary support. The provision of life saving services become more costly daily and we need your help,” Clanton noted. “We thank you for your continued participation in providing these vital services to this wonderful community. Please mail your tax deductible donation to: Hainesville Fire Department, P.0. Box 1145, Quitman, Texas 75783.”

The Hainesville VFD is located at 3312 FM 49 just west of the stop sign at FM 778.