Fundraiser Helps Support Glennrich Fire and Rescue
Photo courtesy Glenn/Rich Fire and Rescue
Captain Jerry Lesemann poses in dunk tank during community fundraiser for Glennrich Fire and Rescue.
June 5, 2025
Anna Somers - CRR Staff
On Saturday, May 31, residents came together at the Tazlina Fire Barn for the very first community fundraiser to support the Glennrich Fire and Rescue Volunteer Fire Department.
Highlights of the event included hot dogs for sale, a silent auction with donated gift baskets (some worth hundreds of dollars), and a dunk tank manned by Captain Jerry Lesemann.
The community-wide event also featured a garage sale, children’s games, craft items, and baked goods for sale to support the fire department.
Marsha Lesemann was responsible for curating the gift baskets on sale during the silent auction. In addition to small goods donated by local stores and businesses, other items offered up during the silent auction included a Stan Stephans Glacier and Wildlife Cruise and a discounted Copper Valley Air Service flightseeing tour.
Although its firefighters are volunteers, Glennrich Fire and Rescue requires funds to keep the fire barn warm all winter, keep the fire trucks stocked and in good working condition, and keep the firefighters outfitted with proper equipment and gear.
Discussing the fire department’s reliance on outside financial support, Marsha said, “It’s not the big donations. Every dollar counts. We appreciate it all.”
Marsha has volunteered for Glennrich Fire and Rescue since 2016, as have many members of her family. In addition to her husband Jerry who volunteers as a captain, Marsha’s daughter, son, and daughter-in-law join ranks with many other residents in the area who keep the Glennrich Fire and Rescue in operation.
Amy Lesemann, the daughter of Jerry and Marsha, began volunteering as a junior firefighter when she was just 14 years old. Although junior firefighters are limited in some of the ways they are allowed to respond, Amy had experience directing traffic, replenishing supplies, and more by the time she became an adult.
While Saturday’s event was the fire department’s first summer fundraiser, Marsha hopes it will become an annual event. “It’s been amazing the support we got so far,” she stated.
Photo courtesy Glenn/Rich Fire and Rescue
Amy Lessemann (left) and Marsha Lesemann (right) pose at a children’s activity during community fundraiser for Glennrich Fire and Rescue.
