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LEBANON, ME - On Sunday, June 14th, 2009, about 40 members of the Lebanon Rescue and their families attended an appreciation BBQ and Family Fun Night at the Flat Rock Bridge Resort in Lebanon.

The event went from 5:00 p.m. till about 9:00 p.m. The rescue members and families were treated to a BBQ dinner, then arcade games, mini-golf, swimming, hot tubs and the water slide. It was a great appreciation dinner.

Certificates of appreciation were handed out to all the volunteers who have made this past year so successful for the rescue department.

"It is important for the members to see that they are appreciated for all they do for the community. Last year, the members gave about 14,500 manpower hours to the community. This is the least we can do to thank them. It is also important to invite the family members because so often the responders are spending time with the family when they are called to help their neighbors who need help. They get called out during birthday parties, holidays and other special events, and it is a huge commitment that the responders make and they often drop everything and go help those who need it." Rescue Chief Samantha Cole stated. "So often these volunteers get called out for a minor call and then get tied up for 4 or 5 hours responding to multiple calls. We try to show them our appreciation by giving out awards and hosting appreciation dinners. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and the of the rescue corporation, the entire event is paid for by donations and does not cost the townspeople a penny. We would like to thank John and Mary Hastings and the staff at the campground for a great time. The campground has amazing facilities and great staff. The event was sponsored by: Flat Rock Bridge Resort, Just Chevy Trucks, Welchs Hardware and Lumber and the Lebanon Rescue Corporation."

"Even though it rained all day, the rain subsided during the event and after the BBQ, the volunteers and their family members all enjoyed the waterslide, pools and hot tub. They had a speed gun and the members took turns racing down the waterslide, with the average being about 17 mph. The record is 24mph, we were hoping to break it! The families enjoyed mini-golf, pool, table tennis and arcade games too." Assistant Chief Jason Cole added.

"This was probably the best appreciation BBQ and family fun night in the ten years I have been on the rescue. Everyone who attended had a great time and we already have had requests for more nights like tonight. It was great to see the family members and volunteers have such a great time, its just a small token of appreciation for all they do throughout the year." Chief Samantha Cole added.