09/13/2026
**Thank You from the Fire Chief**
Every year after this tournament, I try to find the right words to thank everyone, and every year it seems to get harder. The support this community continues to show our fire department is something I will never take for granted.
Once again, we met and exceeded our goals. But for me, the success of this tournament isn’t just measured by how much money we raise. It’s measured by looking around and seeing friends, neighbors, local businesses, fellow firefighters, and people who simply care about this community all coming together for us.
That means more to me than I can put into words.
Our golf tournament remains the largest and most profitable fundraiser in our department’s history, but it has become much more than a fundraiser. It has become a day I genuinely look forward to every year because of the people involved.
I want to start with Burning Bridge Tavern and the Mann Family. I wish everyone could see and understand just how much you do for this community—not only for the fire department, but for so many others. You have always taken care of us, welcomed us, and supported us without hesitation. I consider myself very fortunate to know you and even more fortunate to call you friends. From me personally, and from our entire department, thank you. Your generosity and friendship mean more than you know.
There are also a few businesses I especially want to recognize this year.
Flinchbaugh’s Orchard & Farm Market suffered a devastating loss of more than 60% of its produce because of frost. Sue’s Market and King’s Butcher Shop have dealt with their own hardships when storms knocked out power for hours and even days, causing losses and creating additional expenses just to save their products.
These businesses had every reason to say, “We just can’t do it this year.”
But they didn’t.
They still found a way to support us.
That is something I won’t forget. To me, that says everything about the people behind these businesses and everything about the community we live in. When times are difficult, people here still find a way to help someone else. That is what makes this place home.
To all of our other local businesses and organizations who continue to stand behind us:
Hake’s Sporting Goods, Donsco, John Wright Restaurant, Urban Outdoor and Fence LLC, Wrightsville Social Club, Little’s Beverage, Wrightsville American Legion #469, Ace Distributing, Columbia American Legion Post #372, Foresters of Columbia, The Owls Club, Miselberger Inc., Scritchfield Controls, CRDN of Central Pa, ClassONE Property Restoration, Long Level Marina, York General Contracting, Bookmyer Excavating and the Columbia-Middletown Elks Club—thank you.
Please know that I notice your support, our members notice it, and we appreciate every single one of you.
I also want to personally welcome and thank our new sponsors this year, including King’s Butcher Shop, Alcova Mortgage, Leisure Lanes, and the many others who joined us. When a local business chooses to support a volunteer fire department, you’re doing more than putting your name on a sign or making a donation. You’re investing in the people who live, work, raise families, and answer calls in this community.
To our golfers: You are the reason this day is so much fun. I love getting the chance to talk with everyone, joke around, catch up with old friends, make new ones, and enjoy a day together outside of the normal firehouse setting. Some of you have supported this tournament year after year, and I hope you know how much that loyalty means to me.
And to my fire service brothers and sisters from our mutual-aid departments who came out and played—thank you. We depend on one another on some of our worst days, so being able to spend one of the good days together means a lot.
To our residents and everyone who supports us: I’ve always believed that our success is your success. This department belongs to this community. Seeing OUR Town and OUR Community together, laughing, having a good time, and supporting the people who serve it is something that makes me incredibly proud.
To our membership: I know how long this day is. I know how much work happens before anyone ever tees off and how much is still left after everyone else goes home. I see the hours you put in. I see the things you do that nobody else sees. And I know that when I ask, you continue to step up.
Thank you for trusting me, supporting me, and continuing to give your time to this department and this community. I am proud to be your Chief.
And finally, to everyone who sponsored a hole, donated an item, volunteered, golfed, bought something, helped behind the scenes, stopped by, shared our event, or simply wished us well—thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I may be the one whose name is signed at the bottom of this message, but none of the success belongs to me alone. Anything we accomplish is because I have an incredible group of people standing beside me and an incredible community standing behind us.
There are moments throughout this tournament when I get a chance to look around and take it all in. Those are the moments that remind me just how fortunate I am to serve this department and this community.
I am humbled by your support. I am grateful for your friendship. And I will never take for granted the trust you place in me or in our department.
This is more than a fundraiser. This is our community taking care of one another.
And I couldn’t be more proud to be a small part of it.
From me personally—thank you. Truly.
Fire Chief Chad Livelsberger
