Burnham Fire Co. celebrates 50 years of Penny Bazaar | News, sports, jobs

Burnham – When Burnham Fire Co. started their Penny Bazaar for the first time half a century ago, the members in the community sold tickets door to door.

Teddy and Shawna Nearhoof are grateful that they don't have to do that. Cold calls are not really their thing.

In the past ten years, the couple has worked from Derry Township as organizers of the Penny Bazaar, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in less than six months. The Penny Bazaar is planned for Friday, August 15th and Saturday, August 16, in Firehouse in the 205 N. Beech St., Burnham.

“We have been leading it for 10 years” Shawna, who quickly added that there are other members of the fire brigade company that help with the workload for the annual event. “To celebrate, we have planned some big things. There will be a few changes and most of their old favorites. Lots of prices, good food, rip tickets and lots of fun. “

The fire brigade officers are now trying to get the word out because they still collect donations. You will start selling tickets in April.

“The biggest change is the raffle”, “ Shawna added. “We hope you like cash … a lot of money. The tickets are in the printer and we will show how much cash can be won after picking up money. The ticket prices remain the same at 10 US dollars per chance. “

On Penny Bazaar last year, the main prize was an off-road vehicle from Polaris Ranger. Other prices were 100 gallons heating fabric, a food gift card of 250 US dollars, a ton of pellets and various cash prices.

“All prices are donated”, “ Shawna added. “If the local companies and the community that reinforce them and donate them, we couldn't do that.”

During the bazaar, the donations are placed in the entire combustion chamber with a corresponding bucket on tables, and the public can put their tickets in the bucket to win.

The leaves of 100 tickets are sold for 1 US dollar each. This offers potential winners 100 chances – one penny – to win a price. The name of the Penny Bazaar was created here.

“You just buy a sheet with tickets, open these tickets and drop in the bucket to get the prices you want to try.” Said Shawna.

The second change is that raffle tickets can now be bought online with credit or debit cards. All other tickets have to be bought personally. Food and games will still be cash.

“It's like a two -day concert here in Burnham” Said Shawna. “Thousands of people come through our doors and everything is right here in our building.”

Participation in the annual event has become so great that the Beech Street has been blocked because people sometimes sit on the street and wait for the winners to be announced.

Last year Shawna said that 10,000 to 12,000 tickets with tickets were sold for the event. “It only takes a ticket to win” added it.

Firefighters have taken a long way since Jim Bratton was founded in 1975 in 1975-but they went from door to door and sold handwritten tickets. All names of the winners also had to be written in a book; Now everything is computerized.

“When you draw a number, enter the computer and it tells us who won is the biggest change.” Said Shawna.

When the Nearhoofs were committed to the Penny Bazaar for the first time, they hoped that he was reaching this milestone. Mission fulfilled.

“My husband said when he took it:” I want to make it at least until the 50th year “,” Shawna laughed. “So here we are.”

The Nearhoofs were also responsible for the fundraising campaign and knew nothing about it. Teddy, who acts as President of the Fire Company, joked at a meeting that the event was not so difficult to record.

“He was not at the next meeting and they made him chair”, “ Shawna remembered. “He only found out what they did in June.

“One of the boys asked how the Penny Bazaar came along, and Teddy said:” What are you talking about? “Add them.”So we somehow took over it. It was completely accidental. “

That also meant that Shawna was committed.

“It's months and months of work, and one of the things we say is that there is so much work.” Shawna explained.

“But we are so excited to see how everything happens. We also met so many wonderful people in our community. It really lets you see the good that you have in the community. You don't notice it until you do something like that. “

For more information, see the fire brigade on Facebook.