Newman Lake groups host hot dog sale

There are many ways to support your community. Volunteering your time is popular. Contributing to local charities works.

In Newman Lake, you can buy a hot dog.

The Newman Lake Sheriff’s Community Oriented Policing Effort office, the Newman Lake firefighters and the firefighters auxiliary hold one of their two annual fundraisers today and Sunday. The three service groups will be grilling and selling hot dogs at the Newman Lake Exxon Station on the corner of East Trent Avenue and Starr Road from 9:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. today and from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday.

“Or until we run out of hot dogs,” SCOPE volunteer Patty Altermatt laughed. “If we run out of hot dogs, we’re done.”

Supporters can buy a freshly grilled hot dog for $2. A hot dog and a soft drink will cost $3.

“We had to raise our prices this year,” Altermatt said. “We used to get the hot dogs and buns donated, but we had to buy it all this year.”

All three organizations rely completely on volunteers to help keep their community safe and secure – and in Newman Lake, the three share a number of members.

“That’s true for a lot of us,” Altermatt said. “And for all of us, membership is down. We’ll be trying to get some new ones lined up, so anyone should ask.

“In the past year or so we’ve seen a lot of community members retire and moved out of the area.”

All moneys raised remain in the community, Altermatt said.

“Part of the money helps us pay the rent on our SCOPE office. The Sheriff’s Department helps some, but we still have to shoulder a pretty hefty load. All of our firefighters are volunteers and the auxiliary helps them buy equipment.

“We’re all working to help keep our little community safe.”