Sharps fired up to help Saratoga VFD

Kevin Sharp and his family lost everything they had in a house fire. But after only a few short months, he and his family are ready to give back.

This weekend, the Sharps, along with several other community members, are setting up a raffle and benefit to raise money for Saratoga’s Volunteer Fire Department.

According to Sharp, the event started when he went to buy a Rock River AR .223 rifle for a gun raffle to benefit the fire department. He said when others heard about the raffle, it turned into a much bigger event.

“All of the companies around town are donating,” Sharp said. “Everyone is in this. Everyone is hanging up flyers, everyone is advertising.”

The event will include live music performances from local artists, a live auction, free food and much more.

Auctions will include float trips, prime rib dinners, signed CDs and many other things.

Between the raffle, donations and auctions, Sharp is hoping to reach $20,000. But he said any amount to help the fire department will be fine by him.

Sharp said he was inspired by the members of the Saratoga Volunteer Fire Department when his house caught fire in February. Originally from Bakersfield Calif., Sharp and his family were used to paid professional firefighters, and had no idea what the Saratoga Volunteer Fire Department had to go through.

“The more we dug into this, the more we decided we needed to help.”

After attending a few of the firefighter meetings, Sharp had learned about the vigorous training and the late-night wake-ups firefighters had to endure to help those in need. Throwing a fundraiser for them, Sharp believes, is the least he can do.

The benefit may be to help the fire department, however, Sharp is using this event to thank everyone who has helped him and his family as well. After his house burned, Sharp said he received checks in the mail from strangers, offers to watch his kids and help moving into their new place.

“The way this community has helped us from day one is incredible,” he said.

The benefit will start at noon on June 21 at the Whistle Pig Saloon. People will be able to make donations and buy raffle tickets for the rifle at the event. Raffle tickets can also be bought at various locations around Saratoga. The drawing for the rifle will be at 6 p.m. the day of the event. The event is free and open to the public.