On April 24, the Beckham County Fire Departments Fundraiser was held at the Elk City Convention Center, successfully raising $14,563 and feeding approximately 750 people.
In addition to benefitting every Beckham County Fire Department, the benefit also raised money for Canute and Sweetwater Fire Departments.
The three-meat bbq dinner was the brainchild of Jon and Trina VanBuren, co-owners of Poppy’s Pit and Grill.
Trina said the restaurant had multiple employees and friends help them prepare and serve the meal.
“We served about nine hundred pounds of meat, and a lot of coleslaw,” Trina laughed. “When I say a lot, I mean probably fifty pounds of coleslaw alone. I think we put out sixteen of the big foil pans of potato salad. All together, I think we had nineteen or twenty people who helped cook and serve the food.”
Jon added, “We also want to thank Tyler Wilhelm and JW Lane, who donated their time to sing and play guitar. It was world-class entertainment while helping a good, local cause.”
The event was also sponsored by Levi Koch with Snap-On and Great Plains Bank.
“The kids all loved the trucks from all the fire departments and the fire dog,” Jon said.
The Elk City and Canute Fire Departments put up chairs and tables before and after the three-hour benefit.
For the entire hour that the Beckham County Record was present, most seats were occupied. The seating appeared to be approximately 80-90% occupied during that time.
