LAGRANGE, Wyo. – On April 28, the LaGrange Fire Department will be hosting their annual silent auction fundraiser and pancake supper starting at 5:30 pm and lasting until 7:30 Saturday night.

Tracy Pragnell, a member of the LaGrange Fire Department, told the Telegram the pancake supper started in the early 1980’s, from what the department has traced back in their records. 

“It started as a fundraiser for the department and was held in the spring of every year since,” Pragnell said. “So that would say it has been ongoing for approximately 38 years. We added the silent auction to the pancake supper in 2008, and it has been a great success, almost tripling the funds raised.”

According to Pragnell, one hundred percent of the proceeds raised from the auction go to the fire department and their expenses. 

“Each year we see an increase in the amount of funds raised at the pancake supper,” he said. “In the early 80’s, they were making about $200-$300, and last year we raised about $6,500.

“Everything is donated from the pancake mix, sausage, eggs, coffee and drinks, and tableware to the many items that are donated for the auction from all over,” Pragnell said, explaining the type of sponsorship the fire department receives for the fundraising event. “Each fire department member is responsible for contacting three donors or businesses for an item to be auctioned off at the supper.”

A wide range of businesses in the area help sponsor the event. The donors are local businesses in the towns of Torrington, LaGrange, and Hawk Springs, and branch out to cities like Cheyenne, Scottsbluff, Neb., Pine Bluffs, and Kimball, Neb., just to name a few of the areas that donate to the LaGrange Fire Department’s event.

“I do have to say these businesses in those communities need to be thanked for all their help with not only us but the other fundraisers that are ongoing throughout our communities,” Pragnell said. “They always step up and help out when asked.”

Describing the list of items that the public can expect to see at the silent auction this year, Pragnell said “the list gets bigger every year. We have gift cards, tools, jewelry, clothing, boots, homemade pies and jellies, Frontier Days tickets, household items, vehicle items, kid’s toys, hotel rooms, and just about something for everybody.”

According to Pragnell, the unique firefighter items are sure to get the public bidding as well, as they may even have “a Fire Fighter Calendar with different firemen highlighted, like Kirk Haas, in different poses.”

There will be lots of fun items to bid on in support of the department, and Pragnell encourages everybody to attend “this family fun event. Come and see if you can eat a twenty-inch pancake, and you might even get some free t-shirts for your effort.”

The fire department will also be accepting free donations from the public, Pragnell says. 

“We are accepting donations all the time, and you may contact Lucinda Goold for more information at (307)575-7051.”