Residents of Hempfield and Sugar Grove townships can support their local volunteer fire department in a number of ways: by attending a dinner, playing bingo or assembling a party for a golf outing.

People can also send monthly donations. Soon they'll be getting their annual letter from Hempfield Township Volunteer Fire Department asking for financial support for the upcoming year, said department president Aldra Ritter.

Every year, Ms. Ritter said, the department has to raise $120,000 to keep its fire trucks rolling.

The township pays for insurance for the department's rolling equipment, such as fire trucks, monthly utility bills and workers compensation insurance. Beyond that, Ms. Ritter said, the department has to come up with money to pay for fuel, tires and maintenance on the trucks, as well as other expenses.

To help raise money in addition to the letters asking for support, the fire department schedules many different fund-raisers throughout the year, Ms. Ritter said.

A special Valentine's Day dinner-dance is scheduled for Saturday. The department hosts weekly dinners every Tuesday, served from 4 to 6 p.m. at a cost of $6, tax included, for adults; $4 for children 3 to 10 years old. The menu varies from week to week; the department dishes up a buffet, pasta, chicken or beef pie, braised steak, fried chicken or pork chops. They also hold special dinners on Mother's Day and host an Easter buffet.

Midnight bingo takes place every Friday night; doors open at 9 p.m. and bingo starts at 11:20 p.m.

The department also hosts a Monday evening bingo, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Bingo starts at 7 p.m. Light food is available.

In addition to the dinners and bingo, the volunteer department holds a golf outing in July, a cruise-in in August and a gun raffle in the fall.

All events are held at the Station One Banquet Center on Sixth Avenue in Hempfield, across from Life Force Ambulance. For more information, call (724) 588-1517.