Laura Woods, Gloria Lewis, Patti Kidwell

Gloria Lewis of the Lake Shore Volunteer Fire Company was inducted in the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association Hall of Fame Award on September 5, 2025.

Gloria has been a part of the fire service family since she was a child.  Her father, Charles Wesley Hood Sr., was an active volunteer member and paid engineman with the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC). Her mother was a life member of the ladies auxiliary. With both parents active in the fire company, Gloria practically grew up in the firehouse.  It was only logical that she joined the OVFC Ladies Auxiliary in 1972 when she became old enough to join. As it turned out, she met her husband, David Lewis Sr., at the firehouse, and they continue to share, being part of the fire service family as they have for more than 50 years. Gloria continues to hold Life Membership privileges with the Odenton Ladies Auxiliary.  She was inducted into the Ladies Auxiliary of the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association (AACVFA) Hall of Fame in 2009.

Gloria joined the Riviera Beach Volunteer Fire Company in 1998. Since the company had no auxiliary, she became an administrative support member. She immediately became involved in fundraising activities and managed the weekly BINGO function for over 20- years. She also helped manage the annual carnival to ensure that help was available to make the event successful. Gloria held the office of Director for many years, making sure that the administrative functions of the company were given the attention of the Board of Directors.

 In 2022, Gloria transferred her membership to become an administrative member of the Lake Shore Volunteer Fire Company. Gloria brought the same drive and dedication to Lake Shore that she demonstrated in her membership with other companies. She immediately became involved with supporting the BINGO program and other fundraising activities.  Even when recovering from an illness she insisted on helping by doing what she could from home.  She helped with numerous fundraising committees to include Bull and Shrimp Feast, Sportsman Bingo, Scrapbooking, and No-Frills Events.  All the fundraising events proceeds go towards the purchasing of new equipment. Gloria received numerous accolades, to include Lake Shore Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary’s highest award, The Peg Mekins Award in 2025.

Gloria represented Lake Shore Volunteer Fire Company as a delegate to the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association and the Maryland State Firefighters Association (MSFA).  In addition to her local fire department activities, Gloria has been a supporter of activities with the MSFA.  When her husband, David Lewis Sr., served as President of the MSFA from 2011-12, Gloria took her fundraising talents to another dimension as she assisted David’s campaign committee in the planning and scheduling of several successful fundraising activities to support his campaign expenses. She also supported each of the Executive Committee meetings by scheduling activities for the spouses of the officers and committee members on the Saturday of each meeting. She ensured that everyone had a good time during the weekend. On any given week, you could have seen Gloria traveling with David across the state to accompany him to a meeting, banquet, or other company event. This presents a positive reflection on the MSFA as David and Gloria represent the family spirit that has made the volunteer fire service so successful. In recognition of her service to the MSFA, Gloria was awarded the Robert Shimer Administrative Member of the Year in 2015.

In 2015, Gloria was asked to accept an additional role with the MSFA Convention. Chairman Ron Siarnicki asked Gloria if she would be willing to lead the Monday Night Purse and Bag BINGO event. Gloria immediately hit the ground running on this project, seeking donations from fire companies, auxiliaries, and corporate sponsors. She formed a team with other interested people and began planning for how to make the event a success. Based on her successes at operating BINGO at a local level, Gloria applied her experience and expertise to ensure that the MSFA had the same level of success. She operated the MSFA Convention BINGO for several years before COVID forced a change in the scheduling of convention events.

 Gloria Lewis has demonstrated a commitment to the volunteer fire service in Anne Arundel County for more than 50 years. Her dedication and willingness to serve in any role given to her are clear in the successes that she has provided for each company served. She is well respected by the department members, the community, and the people that we serve. It is because of her unselfish dedication and commitment to the company that she deserves induction into the AACVFA Hall of Fame Award.