For the first time, two local nonprofit organizations - the Christiana Historical Society and the Christiana Fire Company - are teaming up to present a fundraiser.

An all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner to benefit both groups will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the fire company, 214 S. Bridge St., Christiana. The dinner will include spaghetti with sauce, homemade meatballs, salad, bread and breadsticks, beverages and desserts, including homemade whoopie pies.

All food items will be prepared by fire company volunteers. "We are doing strictly eat-in," noted fire company president Michael Ross. "This is our first eat-in dinner since (the pandemic)."

"We will make the meatballs on Friday night, so everything will be fresh," added Tim Manley, the fire company's fundraising chair.

It is recommended that dinners be purchased in advance. There will be separate prices for people age 12 and up and children ages 4 to 11. Tickets purchased in advance will be discounted. Tickets will also be available the door while supplies last.

Members of the Christiana Historical Society will have an information table set up during the dinner and will offer items for sale. Attendees will also have an opportunity to win gift baskets.

"We have an assortment of baskets from local organizations. There will be at least 15 baskets to choose from," said historical society member Patti Shrom. "Latte Luv has (donated) a coffee basket, and Dutch-Way (Farm Market) has (donated) a snack basket." Other businesses that have contributed items for the baskets include Limestone Pizza & Grille, the Town Clock Cheese Shoppe, Hostetter Realty, Glenwood Foods and Florals in Time.

The winners of the basket giveaway will be announced at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 17. "People do not have to be present to win. The baskets will stay at the fire company, and the winners can arrange for pickup," noted Shrom.

Girl Scouts from Cadette Troop 4637 will also be on hand offering cookies for sale and assisting with the dinner.

Proceeds from the dinner will be divided equally by the two organizations. The all-volunteer fire company, which serves Christiana Borough, Atglen Borough and Sadsbury Township, is looking to acquire an additional fire truck. "A new one costs over $1 million - bare bones - and there is a six-year wait," said Ross, noting that instead the company will purchase a used vehicle from a neighboring fire company. "A lot of the fire companies get a new fire truck every six to eight years and they sell the old ones."

The historical society will use the proceeds for the ongoing restoration of the William Brinton house, its new headquarters, which is located at 17 Green St., next to Latta Memorial Presbyterian Church.

"We have joists that are rotted inside the house that have to be replaced and there is no heating system, so there is a ton of work in there," noted Jim Groff, historical society vice president.

The building will eventually be used by the society to host its meetings and showcase its artifacts and memorabilia. In addition, it will provide extra space for its annual open house on Sept. 11, which commemorates the Christiana Resistance.

The society also hopes the building will someday serve as a community gathering place. "We want this building to be a social hall," Groff commented. Pointing up to the porch, he added, "Wouldn't it be nice to see people up there playing cards, checkers or chess? They can just stay here all day."

For more information about the dinner and to order tickets, visit http://www.facebook.com/christianahistoricalsociety or http://www.christianahistoricalsociety.com. Tickets can also be purchased at http://www.christianafire.com.