“The big thing going on with fire companies is that volunteers are dropping,” was the concern of Rudy Arceo, and the inspiration behind the First Responders Benefit Car Show slated for Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Cousin’s Pub, 1360 Pottsville Pike, Shoemakersville. Registration is charged the day of the event. The first 25 vehicles registered will receive a dash plaque.
Due to the generosity of Fredo and Sue Liguoro, the owners of Cousin’s Pub, the venue for the Car Show was offered at no cost. Arceo confirmed that the Liguoros are “very supportive of the community” and that they will be providing food specials for registrants and the public attending the event. Also available at the show will be interactive demonstrations of emergency response equipment, activities for children, giveaways, raffles, and music.
The many judging categories at the First Responder Car Show will include Best Appearing Antique Fire Apparatus and Best Volunteer Firefighter POV (Personal Operated Vehicle). Arceo described that one of the judges scheduled to be on-site to analyze the registered vehicles will be Mike Kitsock, a PA State Fire Inspector, who is also involved with the Schuylkill County Historical Fire Museum in Frackville.
The First Responders Benefit will provide monetary support for both the Shoemakersville and Port Clinton companies, as well as providing outreach into the community to recruit volunteers and solicit donations. Arceo described how the volunteerism at the Port Clinton Fire Company has increased from three volunteers to twenty-two volunteers in less than a year due to active recruiting and publicity, and is working to make that possible in Berks County as well. “The junior program in Shoemakersville is excellent,” said Arceo, who hopes to enhance it through events like the July car show.
Arceo, a volunteer at both Port Clinton and Shoemakersville Volunteer Fire Companies, wants to “show the public the need for our first responders and to encourage volunteers, junior and also adults. He is a fire arm inspector at Cabela’s and runs a non-profit company called “Venom Response Team” that provides education regarding snakes and the actual removal of snakes that are causing unsafe conditions. He and his wife, Tracy Weidman Arceo, HAHS Class of 1991, live in Port Clinton with their three children and operate Eclipse Design Concepts, a sponsor of the event.
