Nothing says community like people coming together bearing food for one another.
Real Island Volunteer Fire Department hosts covered dish socials that are open to the public and held on the third Friday of every month at 6:30 p.m., aside from December, which is held on the second Friday.
Vice president of RIVFD Board of Directors Candace Jones said the department has been doing the covered dish nights for well over 10 years.
“They started them as fundraisers and as a way to bring people together, to get to know each other in the community and to help support building this fire department,” she said.
The department first got started in the 1990s and the training room was added in 2000, which now doubles as a community center. The department receives some funds from the county, but it largely runs on donations as a 501c3 nonprofit.
So, the covered dish night used to have a $3 minimum donation at the door, but most people would donate more. Now the department simply leaves a donation box by the entrance. Jones said the department couldn't do what it does without the support of the community and volunteers.
While the covered dish nights still aid in bringing in donations, over the years the covered dish nights have become less of a fundraising effort and more of a fellowship opportunity.
This month’s covered dish night was the chili cook off with “silly prizes and a year of bragging rights” to be won, according to the Facebook post.
The chili cook off traditionally was held in February, but the board decided to hold it a month earlier so next month’s host could have a Mardi Gras themed night for February. Jones said that’s really what it is about — having fun and getting the community involved.
While the board members are there to assist, anyone in the community can host one of the covered dish nights. The department has a signup sheet with the designated board member on it.
The board member will help the host get the lay of the land and may help set up and clean up after the event. The host is responsible for the theme, the decorations and the activities of the night.
“Sometimes we just have fellowship; sometimes we have entertainment; sometimes we have trivia,” Jones said. “It just depends on what people are in the mood for.”
The department has had spring, tailgate and back-to-school themes. Then for Christmas time, the board takes over as host for the community.
Jones said the covered dish nights are also a great way to meet newcomers to the area.
“We have two sign boards, one is at Coosa County Road 2 and Little Steel Bridge Road and then one here in front, so everybody — no matter where they are coming from — can see what day the next covered dish is,” she said.
The department also has an email newsletter and a lot gets done through word of mouth as well. However, it’s not just for community members. Many who come are also the firefighters — sharing the night with their family.
“We miss people if they don’t come,” Jones said. “If we are used to seeing them here, we like to see them back and we try to keep up with them.”
For more information, individuals can call 334-857-3233.
