Members of the Defender-Silver Lake Auxiliary display the two portable radio scanners they purchased for Station 111 firefighters of the Amador Fire Protection District. From left, Bev Smith, Mark Smith, Gary Powers, Joanne Powers (holding the radios), Emma Gonzales and Tracy Bost. Photo by: Courtesy to the Ledger Dispatch

Starting in the 1970s, a group of Upcountry residents in the Buckhorn and Mace Meadow area initiated bingo games to raise funds for the two local fire departments serving them, Defender/Silver Lake and Silver Pines.

Fast-forwarding to today, bingo is still being used to raise funds for the fire station serving the same area, Station 111, located on Meadow Drive, which is a part of Battalion 10 of the Amador Fire Protection District.

Named the Defender-Silver Lake Auxiliary, this dedicated group of Upcountry residents under the leadership of Joanne Powers has funded various projects for many years to assist the volunteer firefighters that respond to calls in the area. As examples, a new washer-drier was recently purchased and living quarters improvements made to Station 111 as well as equipment was purchased for Rescue 1 to allow for more effective work by firefighters at vehicle accidents, rescues, fires, and medical aids.

The latest purchase using bingo proceeds is two portable radios at a cost of approximately $1,200. These radios will allow for more effective communications among firefighters, incident commanders, and the fire dispatch center located in Camino, El Dorado County.

To continue supporting the firefighters, the community is invited to play bingo on the first Sunday of every month at Veterans Hall in Pioneer Park located on Buckhorn Ridge Road. Bingo starts promptly at 1 p.m. and is preceded by a $5 lunch starting at noon for those interested in breaking bread with fellow residents, the proceeds of which are also used to support firefighters and thereby benefit people living in and/or traveling through the area.