Welcome to another edition to the Montauk Fire Department Corner. I hope everyone had happy, healthy and safe Labor Day.
I would like to dedicate this month’s MFD Corner to the Montauk Fire Department’s recently held Big Bucks Bonanza on Sunday, September 17th. As you may know, this event is the MFD’s biggest annual fundraiser. Thanks to Big Bucks, we receive assistance to operate throughout the year. Just as important is the great pleasure we feel in giving out over $200,000.00 in prizes to people who travel great distances to participate. There are many people I want to recognize and thank for making the Big Bucks Bonanza such a success for the Montauk Fire Department. First are Eve Lenahan and Rick White, who ran the day to day operations of this event. They volunteered countless hours of their time insuring that the tickets sold are logged in, mailed out properly and that everything is balanced out at the end of the day. 
This event would be impossible without their help. Additionally, the actual event itself takes a lot of teamwork and manpower. The chairman of the event is Ed Eurell. Ed has run this event for many years and he has it down to a science. Thank you to Dick White our Master of Ceremonies, and to Rich Lewin our Department Photographer. Thank you to the Montauk Fire Department’s Lady Auxiliary, the Montauk Fire Department Junior Fire Fighters, the Montauk troop of the Boy Scouts, and the “3Bs” Band. You all played a large role in making this event a success. Last, and certainly not least, I want to thank the 130 men and women of the Montauk Fire Department who spent their time setting up, working the event, and cleaning up after. You make me proud to be the Chief of the Montauk Fire Department.
As I mentioned, we gave out over $200,000.00 this year. There were thirty five $500.00 prizes, twenty five $1,000.00 prizes, and one prize of $5,000.00, 10,000.00, 15,000.00, 20,000.00, 30,000.00 and the grand prize of $50,000.00. The following list are the names of the big prize winners. Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you for your support. Enjoy these event photos provided by Rich Lewin.
Jim Wright – Montauk Barbara Blake – East Islip
Jim Staccio – Bellmore Laura Lang – Rockville Centre
Brian Ramputi – Bellport Felix Kauke – Douglaston
That’s it for this month’s Montauk Fire Department Corner. Once again, thank you for your support.
~ Vincent Franzone, Chief
Montauk Fire Department
