Volunteer fire department gets check from women’s club
The Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department received a grant from
the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club.
Phillip Beckman, chief of the volunteer department, submitted a
grant proposal to the women’s club last winter for two ice rescue
suits, two life vests and a throw rope.
In May he received word that his request was approved, which
meant he could purchase the items and the cost would be covered by
the women’s club grant.
“It is through the generosity of the TLWC that we will no longer
have to barrow equipment from another department to adequately
train our volunteers and better serve our community,” Beckman
said.
The volunteer department responds to fire and rescue events
through all of northern El Paso County and part of Douglas County
through its many mutual aid agreements.
The volunteer department has received a grant to cover the cost
of an office computer last year and a hose and reel for the brush
truck the year before, said Donna Wagner, women’s club grant
committee chair.
“We are proud to have assisted this public service organization
first, because it is an all volunteer organization and second
because they serve every one of us regardless of where we live,”
Wagner said.
The women’s club awarded more than $31,000 in grants to
Tri-Lakes area organizations this year. This was possible through
the volunteer efforts of the club’s 200 members who sponsored the
Pine Forest antique show and sale in May, and Wine and Roses, a
wine-tasting event in October.
The Haunted Mines haunted house is open at 7 p.m. daily through
Nov 1.
The Haunted Mines are constructed on the 27-acre, centuries-old
grounds of the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, a former
dairy farm from the 1800s.
The Haunted Mines haunted house is an indoor, outdoor, and
underground experience that is physically and psychologically
challenging.
Proceeds from the haunted house benefit the not-for-profit
Western Museum of Mining and Industry, so it can better educate
children and interested adults about mine safety, science and
engineering, mining heritage, and the role of Western industry in
the development of America.
Last year, Haunted Mines partners Steve Roscio and Tim Wittwer
presented a check for $62,353 to Western Museum of Mining and
Industry Director David Carroll. Half of the donated amount was
reinvested this year in the Halloween attraction. The remaining
$31,177 went toward preserving and presenting the history and
heritage of mining in the West.
In addition to this contribution, the nonprofit Haunted Mines
organization donated a 1,000-square-foot building valued at more
than $75,000 to the museum for future use.
Last year, the Haunted Mines haunted house scared more than
9,000 visitors. This year the attraction hopes to thrill between
15,000 to 20,000 visitors.
For information on the Haunted Mines schedule, tickets, and
discounts go to www.hauntedmines.org or call
719-488-0880.