The West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department wants you to help them respond to emergency calls by helping yourself to a spaghetti dinner.
Scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 2, the department has scheduled a fundraiser to raise funds for their budget at the Fortune Ballroom, 1661 N. Fortune 500, West Odessa. Tickets are $40 for adults, $10 for children between 5 and 12, and children under 5 are free.
Volunteer firefighter for West Odessa Ryan Kelly, who also serves as vice president of the volunteer fire department’s oversight board, said this is the first time they are hosting a fundraiser and hope to do more in the future.
Receiving funds from Ector County, the volunteer fire department will get $54,000 for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, according to county records. Kelly said that with new engines, equipment, and overhead costs, they will need a budget of at least $80,000.
Firefighters with the department work on a volunteer basis.
“We’re trying to make up a difference in the budget so we can keep the trucks running and keep the lights on,” Kelly said.
The fundraiser dinner will be a family-friendly event, with fire truck and emergency vehicle demonstrations, and scheduled appearances from H-E-Buddy and Marshal from Paw Patrol.
Anyone who purchases a ticket will automatically be entered into a raffle for a Yeti drinkware set consisting of three tumblers. A separate raffle will also be held for a Kimber Micro 9 firearm. Those tickets are $100 each.
Founded in 1978, members of the West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department responded to 794 total calls for fires and vehicle accidents in 2023, Kelly said. Most calls received cover the area west of Loop 302 and north of Interstate 20.
On average, Kelly said, the response time to a call is about four minutes, which is crucial when responding to emergencies.
“Without West Odessa or other volunteer fire departments in the county, it’s going to take a significant amount of time for city resources to reach locations outside of city limits,” Kelly said. “Without us being in the advantageous position out here in the county, you could be looking at an extended period waiting for help.”
If you go
- What: Spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department.
- When: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 2.
- Where: Fortune Ballroom, 1661 N. Fortune 500, West Odessa.
- Cost: Tickets are $40, children between 5 and 12 are $10, and children under 5 are free.
- Money raised during the event will go toward the West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department. Tickets also include entry to a drawing for a Yeti drinkware set. Raffle tickets are also being sold to enter a drawing for a Kimber Micro 9.
- Call: 432-924-2305 for more information.
