‘Burgers & Birds’ raises VFD funds

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Albany Volunteer Fire Department held its second “Birds and Burgers” fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 2 during the opening weekend of dove season, serving more meals than last year with virtually no wait.

With 230 hamburgers sold, the volunteers considered it a huge success.

“We had a bigger grill and better organization that we did when we did it for the first time last year,” said fire chief Joel Viertel. “Instead of having cars lined up down Railroad Street, they rolled through the station pretty fast unless they wanted to stop and visit.”

The chief said that the department really appreciates the community support shown through donations at the fundraiser.

“It was a great way to interact with the members of our community, and our volunteers were on hand to help make this a success,” said the fire chief.

Viertel is grateful that there haven’t been many structure fires or wildland fires in recent weeks, but he said that the dry weather is keeping everyone on alert.