You can say Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary (LVRSA) is one in a million. At this year's banquet for the 2020 year they presented the squad with $65,019. This means over more than thirty years the Auxiliary has raised over one million dollars for the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad (LVRS). $1,008,051 to be exact. COVID did not stop the Auxiliary from doing what they do best! They still found ways to raise money through fundraising and donations. Either having food fundraisers at Ledos, to Kevin's Corner Kafe. Or even going virtual for bake sales on facebook they got it done.
The official Auxiliary started in 1989 when three people came together to find exciting, fun, and innovative ways to raise funds and gain more community support. At the first auxiliary meeting in August of 1989 they elected officers. Those officers were: Candy Chesser, President; Bill Lindsley, Vice-President and Secretary; and Gloria LeDonne, Treasurer. Other members present were Ella Neal, Dudley Lindsley, Magdaline Holmes, and Ricky Chesser. That year the Auxiliary sponsored a card party and raffle, and were able to present the squad with $500. More members joined over the years; some spouses of LVRS members, LVRS members themselves, and other family and friends of members. They always are looking for new members and ideas to make their fundraising more successful each year. The most heartening aspect of these projects is the desire of the community to support their rescue squad. Local small businesses and individuals have been very generous with their time and treasure, and bear much responsibility for the success of the Auxiliary to raise funds. Our Auxiliary enjoys increased synergistic relationships with local small businesses and individuals. Our own members enjoy a close relationship with each other. Auxiliary members have expressed their enjoyment of each other’s company whether they earn $100's or $1000's in any endeavor.
Each member has used his or her life experience and community connections to introduce new ideas for raising funds. Early fundraisers included pitch tournaments, dances, selling hot dogs at the Pax River Air Expos, Golf Tournaments and even an Art Auction. New and successful ideas included the popular September Lottery, Hunter’s Pace, and Christmas Festival. One of the most successful fundraising initiatives tested was the Portrait Project, which has earned $20,000 a year in recent years. Yard Sales and Brown Bag Auctions have also proven successful over the years. Also every time they present the amount it always ends with 19 for Company 19 to make it even more special every time.
On August 18th, 2015 LVRS broke ground on the new addition to the squad. Thanks to the Auxiliary and contributions from our community it was debt free. In 2017, under the leadership of Catherine Stewart, the Auxiliary raised over $55,000. The record-breaking sum allowed LVRS to purchase a much-needed brand new ambulance. The Auxiliary continues to ensure that LVRS can continue to provide quality service to our community. The LVRS was also able to buy a new EMS unit in 2019 with the funds raised by the Auxiliary. We didn’t have to take a low interest loan from the county. Thanks to the fundraising efforts we bought the unit debt free.
The Leonardtown Rescue Squad and the community is very thankful for the men and women of the auxiliary for supporting LVRS. We could not do it alone, and gain new equipment without them. Especially over 30 years they raised $1,008,051!