Volunteer fire department holds annual Christmas gathering

Members of the Deep Gap Volunteer Fire Department were clowning around Saturday night at their annual Christmas dinner.

On the first Saturday in December, All DGVFD firefighters, — retired and active — first responders, ladies auxiliary and board members gather at the station with their families. More than 100 people attended this year’s event.

From left, Trixie, a clown with a Joyful Hearts Ministry sings along with Deep Gap Volunteer Fire Department first-responder Capt. Gary Taylor and assistant Chief Joey Parsons during the department’s annual Christmas dinner on Saturday. See the Thursday edition of The Mountain Times for the full story. Photo by Melanie Davis

A catered dinner is provided by the department and attendees bring a dessert. Following dinner, Chief Mark Parsons presented gifts to the members — T-shirts and hats — as a thank-you for the year’s service. Gifts were presented to the ladies auxiliary with the message, “I can’t thank you enough,” Parsons said. “Any need we have, we turn around and you’re there.”

The junior firefighter program participants were also recognized. The program consists of training on truck operation, equipment and other aspects of firefighting. The goal is to prepare future department members to be familiar with the job of a firefighter.

“They are ready to join the department as soon as they turn 18 years old,” Parsons said.

Santa arrived, not a sleigh, but on a fire engine with sirens sounding. Each of the estimated 20 children in attendance took a seat on Santa’s lap to detail Christmas morning hopes and was presented a gift.

The evening ended with a program by Trixie and Dixie, also known as Susan Hatton of Lenoir and Margo Bowman of Granite Falls — a clown duo from Joyful Hearts Ministry. They have been entertaining the crowd at the DGVFD Christmas dinner five out of the last six years.

Dixie and Trixie got everyone involved in song and games, including an adult balloon race and teams of adults and children searching for ornaments hidden in pudding.

“We really enjoy this meeting every year,” Parsons said. “And everyone has a laugh with those two [clowns].”