Oakalla VFD holding annual fish fry, auction

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

The Oakalla Volunteer Fire Department is holding its annual fish fry and auction on Saturday night.
The evening will be have plenty of food, and opportunities for bidders to contribute to the OFVD’s main cause – being prepared to help local residents who live and travel the roads in the Oakalla area and beyond. 
The OVFD will serve hundreds of pounds of hand-breaded catfish along with all the sides starting at 5 p.m. Catfish plates are $10 for adults and $ for children ages 10 and under. 
Local businesses such as Hoffpauir’s in Lampasas, D & D Feed Store, Auto Truck Clinic in Kemper, HomeBase in Copperas Cove, as well as Nocked and Loaded in Lampasas have come on board by donating both silent and live auction items. 
There will be boys’ and girls’ bikes, large tow-behind inflatable for the lake, several gift baskets, various new tools, and as always, metal art. Jewelry, wallets, purses, and luggage, as well as his and hers emergency “to go” (bug out bags) will be auctioned off, as well fishing poles for kids, along with tackle box and chair sets. A variety of handmade afghans and quilts will also be up for bid.  
As in years past, homemade desserts will be for sale to benefit the Oakalla library and community center. 
During the evening, there will be several 52-card drawings for prizes to include guns and bows. Those who participate in the drawings for the rifles cold win one of several to include Ruger 10/22 with kryptic camo stock, Stoeger M3500 shotgun (semi-automatic),  Ruger American 7mm rifle with scope that has been bore-sighted. A Matthews bow is also one of the prizes. 
All guns and the bow are provided from Nocked and Loaded and will be at the auction. After the auction, the guns will go to Nocked and Loaded until the winner completes the necessary paperwork at the store.
Past auctions have helped purchase new radios, updated protective gear, vehicles and more.
Like other volunteer departments throughout Texas, the Oakalla Volunteer Department depends on its fundraising dinners and auctions to help supplement funding it receives from the county.
The annual fish fry, held for more than 20 years, serves as one of several fundraisers the department has throughout the year, with the next fundraiser being an all-you-can-eat fajita dinner in November.