Donald Teuma-Castelletti
SHAWVILLE April 21, 2018
The communities of Shawville and Clarendon came together on Saturday night, raising money for their fire department and honouring a long-time member of the crew.
The Shawville Lions’ Hall was packed late into the night on April 21, when the annual Shawville-Clarendon Fire Department’s Firemen’s Ball took place.
The dance at the hall serves as an annual fundraiser, contributing to various projects that the department chooses to focus on. Their recent efforts have gone towards purchasing the station its own air compression machine, for the oxygen tanks used by the crew.
“I have the air-filling station ordered,” said Chief Lee Laframboise. “This should finish off the rest of [those costs].”
With that goal at the finish line, the department is looking towards their next big purchase – a new truck.

While taxpayers will be able to afford the department the new machine, by pursuing fundraising efforts and contributing to the budget for it, a truck with greater capacity in a variety of roles will be affordable.
“It’s hard for the municipalities to come up with the money for the new truck,” said Laframboise, of the need to contribute.
Despite the focus of the evening on celebrating the whole crew while fundraising for their projects, one firefighter did receive special recognition later that night.
Peter Draper was presented with a plaque, commemorating his 25 years of service with the department.
As well, the municipalities presented him with a watch in recognition of his dedication.
Rounding out the fun for the evening was the musical stylings of the Danny Sylvester Band and a wide range of door prizes, donated from throughout the community.
“We’ve received a lot of door prizes donated by local businesses and we really appreciate it,” said Laframboise.