The members of Banner Elk Presbyterian Church continue their long legacy of being a beacon of help and hope in the community. The Firehouse Fundraiser, held on August 25-27, 2022, featured the storytelling musical Always Nina and raised $8,181 for Banner Elk Volunteer Fire Rescue during the three shows. The total surpassed the $5,000 goal and enables the department to quickly purchase a much-needed rescue litter and a double clutch twin tension rope system kit (both used to rescue people in more remote areas including hiking trails, vehicle accidents down embankments and even in our mountainous back yards).
“We are taken back by the immense amount of support we received from the shows performed in the fire department’s honor,” says Banner Elk Fire Chief Tyler Burr. “Exceeding our goal by so much enables us to buy two of the large ticket items needed to further our mission of protecting the public. The items will be purchased this week and put into service as soon as they arrive. The result of the community’s support will certainly make the difference in many lives.”
In addition to Nina Allbert donating her talents and time, many members helped prepare for the show and welcome the audiences. We especially appreciate the firefighters carrying the heavy stage down and back up to the attic. These generous sponsors covered the cost of the shows: Lynn & Susan Carter, Jim & Dee Ferguson, Bud & Sylvia Hahn, Phil & Pam Hardin, Margo Jacobs, Dick & Carol Larson, Tom Poe & Dale Rambo, Chuck Portaro, David Soyars & Mark File, McNair & Deb Tornow and Kathy Ward. In fact, sponsorships exceeded the show costs by $2,000, so that was applied to the grand total.
“Always Nina: A Tennessee Story and Songbook” featured Nina telling hilarious and heart touching stories from her life, many of them in song accompanied by her band. It received rave reviews from audiences with plenty of laughter, tears and standing ovations at each show. More than half the audiences were not church members, so the shows introduced our church to many.
“Always Nina was a very entertaining performance by a very talented Nina,” says Banner Elk Mayor Brenda Lyerly. “I am so proud of the generosity and support our community has given to the Banner Elk Fire and Rescue. I am also very impressed with the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church community for their support of this event and the picnic they provided to our fire department volunteers. Our Banner Elk community has shown how much we appreciate our fire department members and all they do for us.”
Top needs: Rescue Litter Package ($3250) and Double Clutch Twin Tension Rope System ($4216)
Banner Elk Volunteer Fire Department is located at 345 Shawneehaw Ave South, Banner Elk.