It has been a long time since the McCloud community was invited to a formal event. Last Saturday evening, the Grand Ballroom of the McCloud Mercantile was filled with glamorous women in long slick, shiny dresses led by their men in tuxes, suits, or uniforms.
Most of the fire departments around Siskiyou County including Cal OES and California State Fireman’s Association were represented at the McCloud Fireman’s Ball along with many people in the community came to support the McCloud Fire Department and to help get their paramedic program started.
To accommodate the growing demand for medical emergency response for McCloud’s aging community (the average age of McCloud residents is 55 years), the McCloud Fireman’s Association came up with a plan to fund a paramedic program to have 24/7 staffing by hiring 2 full-time paramedics. The cost of this program is $200,000. The McCloud Fireman’s Association started the Rod Ives Memorial Fund to help make this happen.
Rod Ives was a lifelong McCloud local and a retired volunteer McCloud Fire Department firefighter who passed away on November 6, 2020. He served 30 years from 1974 to 2004 in his beloved community.
On the Saturday evening of October 7th, the event was such a success that they exceeded their goal.
This community fundraiser didn’t hold back and held many activities throughout the evening to keep the fun going and the funds coming. There was a buffet of appetizers to appease all tastes courtesy of Mace’s Hideout who catered the buffet.
There was a buffet of appetizers to appease all tastes
The dessert auction was just a warm-up to the door prize auction and then a live auction, followed by the huge raffle drawings.
To make a donation online, go to Rod Ives Memorial Fund through GoFundMe or mail to MFA, PO Box 551, McCloud, Ca. 96057.
Huge raffle drawings
Then the dancing began and the casino opened for a night of adventure and winnings.
Rod Ives’s daughter, Stachia Noling from Arizona, came to honor her father.
Rod Ives’ brother, Randy Ives, made a family donation towards his brother’s memorial fund of $10,000. (picture 444 with McCloud Fire Chief Charlie Miller)
Ruck Young, assistant chief for Offices of Emergency Services (EOS) said,
“McCloud hit all the things that make a great fundraising event and to raise the money they need. There is a great community spirit here.”
Darlene Mathis, owner of the Mercantile donated the ballroom for the event. She said,
“It is amazing how much support there is here.”
“This is a fabulous first-time event. Let’s keep this going.”
Steve Marquis, a firefighter, paramedic, and instructor who lives part-time in McCloud
Over 20 volunteers and many sponsors made this happen and they plan on doing this annually.
Cindy Miller who is part of the McCloud Fire Department said,
“We are looking for ambulance drivers and other volunteers. The program at the fire department is to maximize revenue for a full-time ALS and BLS ambulance. We need a lot of resources for 24/7 coverage of licensed paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and ambulance drivers. Training the volunteers costs the same as the paid personnel. They all have to be certified. But there are many other things we also need volunteers for, not just firefighters and paramedics.”
Not just businesses, but local people also supported the Rod Ives Memorial Fund.
Sponsors are Kevin and Darlene Mathis with the McCloud Mercantile & Hotel, Fire House Amusements and Vending, Black Fox Timber Management, Hearst Corporation, Cindy Rosman and Gary Bostwick with the McCloud Hotel & Sage Restaurant, Sousa Ready Mix LLC, Axe & Rose, McCloud Golf Course, Balleto Vineyards, Bayside Amusement Corporation, Campbell Global, Five Mary’s Meats, Bogey’s Cafe, Ron’s Furniture, R&R Meats, Mike Salono with Salono’s Hardware, Steve Bjers with Bjers Auto Repair, Cheryl Daran-Girard, Shareen Strauss, Larry Detomasi, Dennise Toreson, Shari Roullier with It’s a Sign, Spill the Beans, Lexi Meadows with Cooper Acres, Momma K, C&C Instructional Services, Marie Green with Heart Hair and Nail Co., Ramshaw’s Home Boutique, Heart of the Earth, Cheerio Textiles, Siskiyou Fire Equipment, Floyds Frosty, Hen House Micro Brews, JR McQueen, Louis Cross, Spring Hill Nursery & Garden, Say Cheese Pizza, Brandy McKnight with Bistro 107, Yaks Shack, Marce’s Hideout, Korbel Winery, DRNK Wines, The Milkman, McCloud Market, McCloud RV Park, The Beauty Room, Esteem Esthetics, Naked Wine, The Dreaded Barbie, Lisa and Steve Richardson, Shasta Reflections, Rugged Arrow Boutique, Pipeline, Raven Tree, Tony Reginato, LeRoy and Joyce Scarbrough, Bob n Joy Buys, Dan and Anne Simons.
For more information go to mccloudfire.com or call Suzanne Mattson at (209) 639-2506. To make a donation online, go to Rod Ives Memorial Fund through GoFundMe or mail to MFA, PO Box 551, McCloud, Ca. 96057.
And More Pictures Because We Can!
Photographer Melissa Mero takes pictures of McCloud Fireman’s Ball guests Maria and Greg Joyce at the antique fire engine
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