Genoa volunteers donate $5,000 to Jacks Valley Elementary

The chicken dinners, beer, wine and Italian sausage sandwiches sold by the Genoa Volunteer Fire Department during Fourth of July and Candy Dance benefitted Jacks Valley Elementary School to the tune of $5,000.

“We are so excited to continue our Explorations program which gives students the opportunity to participate in a project based learning activity of their choice,” said Principal Pam Gilmartin on receiving the donation. “The activities that we offer students often use consumable supplies like paint, sewing materials, crafts-art supplies, food for cooking, coding kits, maker space supplies, and much more.”

The volunteer department has 10 members, the exact same number reported in the Oct. 7, 1949, of The Record-Courier when Arnold Trimmer was named its first chief.

The department responds to fires in the vicinity of Nevada’s first settlement, though mostly as support staff for career firefighters.

Member Martin Manning said the funds were raised by selling more than 450 half-chickens on the Fourth and during Candy Dance at two booths selling T-shirts, hats sweatshirts, beer and wine.

“The (department) uses the proceeds from these fundraisers to help out in the community in many ways,” Manning said.

On Dec. 21, 2023, Rick Myers and Martin Manning presented the check for $5,000 to Jacks Valley Elementary School to be used to help the teachers buy classroom materials and to support the Explorer Program.

“Without this generous donation, we would not be able to do all the exciting hands-on exploration activities,” Gilmartin said. “This funding will also help our teachers with classroom libraries that will be enhanced with decodable books and much needed high-interest books for our students. Their generosity means everything to our staff, students, and the community we serve. We appreciate them and know that none of our success would be possible without substantial and big-hearted donors like the Genoa Volunteer Fire Department.”