Appreciation Supper biggest, best to date
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

With more than 3,300 plates served, the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department is hoping Monday's Appreciation Supper will be its best fundraiser yet.

"Oh man, it's the biggest we ever had," President Patrick Hlavaty said Tuesday.

Volunteers fried 200 gallons of oysters, 600 pounds of French fries and 1,250 pounds of fish to feed the waves of supporters at the El Campo Civic Center. In addition, 550 pounds of coleslaw was dished onto plates.

Although the Appreciation Supper didn't officially start until 6 p.m., steady rains brought the crowd in early with the first plates served around 5 p.m.

By the time the clock hit 6 p.m., department volunteers estimated 1,000 people had already been served.

"And we're just getting started," Fire Chief Jimmy George Jr. said.

In addition to volunteers from the ECVFD, its auxiliary and Explorer post, Wharton County Sheriff's Department deputies pitched in to help cook along with volunteer firefighters from East Bernard, Hungerford, Louise and Danevang.

Wharton volunteer firefighters came with a pumper truck - prepared for emergency situations that might develop during the fundraiser. But with a quiet Monday night, they were able to spend their time helping with the event.

Trusties from the Wharton County Jail were also present to quickly wash pans and other equipment.

"This is the quickest we've ever got it done," Hlavaty said, adding that serving went smoothly from the serving of both dine-in and to-go lines to the clean-up.

Total proceeds are still being counted, but the fire department is hoping it will be another record-setting year.

"Each year it grows," Hlavaty said. "I want to thank everyone who came out to help and everyone in the El Campo community."

Last year, the department served 2,800 meals.