A voluntary tendency: Cameron Gardens VFD celebrates half century of service

Cameron Gardens Volunteer Fire Department celebrated 50 years of serving the community with a Burger Burn Saturday.

In its half-century of history, the department has seen almost all there is to see — expansions of their firehouse, vintage fire engines, disgruntled acts of arson and just about everything under the sun.

The firefighters that make up the crew now are even in the process of modifying a donated army vehicle into a rough-terrain firefighting machine.

CGVFD invited community members to come and grab a plate with a freshly-grilled burger Saturday. The celebration was also a fundraiser, with plates going for $10 apiece.

Chief Eric Stevens said the event doubled as a community get-together and an opportunity for the department to raise funds.

"We’re a small department. We rely a lot on fundraising and donations to help us operate day to day,” Stevens said, adding, “and then also just to bring the community out."

Stevens said the event gave community members "a little food for their bellies" and brought a good turnout.

“We’ve done really good. We’ve had a steady crowd since 12 when we started,” Stevens said.

Allen Platt, VFD president and chaplain, is one of two remaining volunteers who were with the department at its founding in 1974.

“It was a tough go, but we done it okay,” Platt said, later adding, “It was touch and go.”

Platt said he’s just happy the department is still around and celebrating after 50 years.

“We’ve had our ups and downs, and it just tickles me that they’re still going,” he said.

Platt received a plaque in recognition of his time with the department Saturday.

Even with a celebration of half a century of perseverance, Stevens made sure to stress that the department is still always looking for volunteers.