They may not have earned the ultimate prize, but the Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Department ended up a big winner behind a strong show of support.

Thanks to an online voting campaign, the fire department is a top finalist in the "Best of Us" campaign after it placed somewhere between sixth and ninth in the voting.For its showing, the fire department will receive $1,000, training materials, and Johnsonville sausages, according to fire department President Rory Koons."We received over 5,600 votes, and are most appreciative of everyone who supported this campaign and continue to support our organization," Koons said. "Please convey our appreciation to those of you who forwarded the original request and spread the word. This was both fun and exciting for us."Johnsonville Sausage LLC, based out of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, previously accepted nominations for the best volunteer fire departments across the nation as part of its search for the "Best of Us" campaign.Whichever fire department garners the most votes wins the contest, and in the process, secures $10,000, as well as a training library and detection systems for 100 people.Area residents were asked to vote online by June 20, and were allowed to cast their vote once a day up until that time.Louise Koons, the wife of Rory Koons, submitted the nomination on behalf of the fire department.Johnsonville received hundreds of submissions detailing how these volunteer fire departments embody the spirit of volunteerism in America.The Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Department beat out hundreds of other volunteer fire companies, and was among 20 finalists from around the country.