Vigilant Hose Company Auxiliary Celebrates 50 Years

Alisha Yocum

This is the time of the year when many of our local rescue services honor their volunteers during their annual award banquet.

This was a special year for Emmitsburg’s Vigilant Hose Company (VHC) Auxiliary, as they celebrated 50 years!

It all started back in 1975 with a small meeting at the fire hall where Helen Walsh, president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Junior Fire Company of Frederick City, and Mrs. Stahley, president of the Lewistown Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary,   presided over the meeting, offering the group guidance as they established bylaws, etc.

On December 3, the bylaws were completed, and the VHC Ladies Auxiliary was formed and ready to fulfill its mission: to assist and support the fire company in any way.

The first meeting was held on December 11, and they have been meeting on the second Thursday of the month ever since.

In 1997, the group changed its name to the VHC Auxiliary to become more inclusive. Over the past 50 years, the Auxiliary has provided financial support, donated two service vehicles, dedicated countless hours to volunteering at VHC events and fundraisers, and served food during rehabilitation operations on emergency scenes to the firefighters.

During the VHC’s recent banquet in January, they honored three charter members: Wanda Myers, Polly Kittinger, and Shirley Little. Unfortunately, Kittinger passed away shortly after the banquet, but her dedication will always be remembered.

To celebrate the anniversary year, VHC Auxiliary President Patty Kuykendall presented a check to the VHC President Tom Ward in the amount of $100,000. The Auxiliary also presented all attendees with a commemorative coin as part of the celebration.

To view more about the VHC Banquet, turn to page 26.