ANSONIA — A longtime fall tradition brought the Ansonia community together Thursday for chili, costumes, and a Halloween parade, with a $20,000 donation giving the village’s volunteer fire department another reason to celebrate.
The Ansonia Volunteer Fire Department hosted its 43rd annual Chili Supper and Costume Contest, followed by the town’s Halloween parade and raffle drawings. Along with raising money through food and raffle sales, firefighters accepted a $20,000 check from the families of Ron Barga II and Darrick Barga of Premier Crop Insurance.
The donation will support efforts toward a new fire station, a project the donors hope will provide more room for the department and its equipment.
Fire Capt. Cory Meadows said the supper has become an established fundraiser, while the parade’s history stretches back even further.
“This is the 43rd year for the Chili Supper itself, but the Halloween parade itself has been going on for over 60 years,” Meadows said.
Visitors enjoyed chili and desserts while supporting the firefighters who serve Ansonia and the surrounding community. Meadows said money raised through both parts of the fundraiser returns directly to the department.
“All the proceeds from any of the food sold go straight back to the fire department, and all the proceeds from the raffle go straight back to the fire department,” he said.
Planning extends well beyond the evening itself. Meadows said firefighters work throughout the year to put together the supper, with Capt. Kevin McKenna handling the cooking.
“Does a great job,” Meadows said.
Fire Chief Chris Widener said preparing the station for the crowd requires a coordinated effort from department members, many of whom balance volunteer responsibilities with their regular jobs.
“Yes, it’s all hands on deck,” Widener said.
Members spent the three nights leading up to the supper moving equipment, cleaning and arranging the station. Different volunteers came in each evening to help, with others joining the effort Thursday as their work schedules allowed.
Widener said that commitment is matched by the community’s willingness to support the department.
“We serve a great community,” he said. “They support us well, and they understand what we’re doing and why we do it.”
The Barga families underscored that support with a check presentation.
Ron Barga II, an agent and co-owner of Premier Crop Insurance, said supporting the volunteer department was important to him, his business partner and his family. Darrick Barga works in client services for the business, which has built a new office just outside Ansonia.
“Any volunteer fire department is extremely important to its community,” Ron Barga II said. “And the word volunteer is the biggest part there.”
He said firefighters’ willingness to put themselves at risk for others deserves recognition and support.
“These people are sacrificing, at times, their lives for the members of their community,” he said. “I want to see the fire department continue to thrive.”
For Barga, that appreciation also comes from personal experience. About six months ago, firefighters responded to a barn fire on his family’s property. He said Ansonia firefighters arrived within 10 minutes, joined by crews from other area departments.
The family lost cattle in the fire, making it a devastating experience even though their home was not involved.
“I can’t even imagine if that was our home,” he said.
Although no one in his family is a volunteer firefighter, Barga said he has long admired those willing to take on the responsibility.
“This is a way for us to give back,” he said.
Barga said potential locations for a new station are being considered. He hopes the donation helps move those efforts forward and encourages the development of a larger facility.
Meadows thanked the families for including the department in their community support.
“Putting us on that list means a lot to us,” he said.
Department leaders also used the evening to encourage people interested in firefighting to learn more about volunteering.
Widener said the department has a few openings, with some current members discussing retirement.
“We’ll need people to fill those boots,” he said.
Meadows said prospective volunteers can speak with any department member, visit the station or send a message through the department’s Facebook page. Robbie Widener also leads a cadet program and works at the school, providing another connection for interested students.
People seeking information can contact Meadows at 937-621-1772 or call the station at 937-337-1811.
“We’d always love to see them come up here and come stop by and talk to us and see what they think,” Meadows said.
