Luverne, the 83-year-old firetruck and chariot of the the St. Paul Vulcans, has rust in her undercarriage. She needs an overhaul in her old age.
The nonprofit Vulcan Community Charities is participating in Give to the Max Day on Nov. 13 in an effort to raise the $30,000 they need to save the historic truck, built in 1932 in Luverne, Minn.
Luverne has been the Vulcans’ chariot and “lifeblood” since 1940, after having been a St. Paul firetruck for eight years. The crimson-painted vehicle is frequently seen carrying members of the Imperial Order of Fire and Brimstone through the streets of St. Paul during the Winter Carnival.
Give to the Max Day is a statewide crowd-funding effort for local organizations, and it takes place entirely online. For 24 hours, donors can go to givemn.razoo.com and donate to any nonprofit or school in Minnesota.
In addition to Luverne’s key role in the St. Paul Winter Carnival, the Vulcans use the truck in close to 60 parades across the state year-round, said Vulcan Steve Gurney, president of the St. Paul Council of Fire Kings.
Luverne makes appearances from nursing homes to schools and is considered the Vulcans’ ambassador.
“She is the oldest living member and the best known member … the general public knows our famous girl on sight. Please help out,” Vulcan Joe Vogel posted on the Save Luverne Facebook page.
But it’s not easy to get parts for a truck Luverne’s age. She is believed to be one of the only trucks of her type left.
The Vulcans have done preventive maintenance over the years, keeping Luverne in pretty good shape. But at 83 years old, she still needs extensive body work to keep her running smoothly.
The idea is to make her a little safer for the road, especially with how many people end up on the truck throughout the year, said David Breen, who is considered Luverne’s chief mechanic.
“Luverne is kind of an iconic piece of St. Paul. If you know St. Paul, if you know the Winter Carnival — you know Luverne,” Breen said. “We’re trying to keep her around for another 80 years.”
A few years ago, Luverne broke down during the Winter Carnival and she had to be taken off the streets for two whole days.
“That’s the kind of thing we’re trying to avoid. The repairs are not only to make her safer, but more reliable,” he said.
Whatever the results the group gets on Thursday’s Give to the Max effort, Gurney said Luverne is functional for 2015’s Winter Carnival, which is Jan. 22 to Feb. 1.
“The worst case is she continues to rust out and eventually falls apart,” Gurney said, “but we’re not going to let that happen.”
To contribute to Luverne’s makeover, go to givemn.org/organization/Vulcan-Community-Charities.
Copyright 2014 Pioneer Press.
