An empty social hall equals no money.

The social hall is one of the biggest ways the Lakeshore Fire Company funds its operations.

The hall seats about 200 people, but sat idle for about 14 weeks during the pandemic. That ism until bingo resumed, bringing in people and money to the fire department.
The lights on the bingo board went back on, in early July.

While its filled to half capacity, per Covid-safety measures, the game of recouping money continues.

Sara O'Brien is the President of Lakeshore Fire. She says, "For a dollar amount, that came out to between $10,000 and $12,000 that we lost pretty quickly."

That creates a ripple effect in the community.
Just ask those that run the bi-weekly bingo games.

Karen Malec is the fundraising organizer for the The John Tramontano Jr Education Foundation of Erie. Malec says, "We raise money for charity, educational scholarships and athletic giving."

It fosters a family -friendly atmosphere. Many of the bingo players say they are on a first-name basis and enjoy seeing each other every week.

Now, they have to social distance.

Madisen Malec, who also is a bingo organizer, says, "Everybody has been great. They're all very accommodating with our rules. Everybody hand sanitizes when they come in, everybody is wearing their masks throughout the night."

Maintaining and purchasing equipment for the 20 volunteer staff and 2 paid EMT/ Firefighters comes from that bingo contract, and now, this year, the CARES Act passed by the federal government.

Lakeshore was eligible because of being a medicare provider with the EMS and ambulance service.
there's two other hopeful* funding sources:

A state grant through the Pennsylvania Fire Commissioners Office, and for the first time, the departments participation in Erie Gives day coming up on August 11.

New ways to maintain operations in both the Fairview and Millcreek communities.
But there's also the tried and true funding source, too.

O'Brien says, "The first of April we send out our fund drive letter requesting that the residents that live within our response area, donate to our service." 

O'Brien goes on to say, "That brings in about 55,000 to 60,000 dollars annually for us." She says residents can donate anytime, during the 2020 year.

A year that has started with so many changes.

"Overnight we kinda had to learn how to social distance. in an atmosphere where social distance isn't always possible," O'Brien adds.
But they have done that, in both training and response.