A new charitable gala will bring together the Township of 91原创 Firefighters鈥� Charitable Society (TLFCS) and the Mayor鈥檚 Office to raise money for worthy causes.
鈥淭here are any number of reasons a person looks to become a firefighter, the common denominator being a desire to help their friends, family, and neighbours,鈥� said Jhim Burwell, a member of the TLFCS. 鈥淥ur work is based on very personal, very human interactions, and that kind of interaction is compelling. It shows that there are many ways to help your community, and drives you to want to find more ways to improve the lives of your neighbours and friends.鈥�
To enhance local firefighters鈥� capacity to assist the people they protect, the TLFCS was launched in 2012. The Charitable Society focuses on the benevolent activities of the Township鈥檚 professional firefighters by raising funds for those in need, with the support of paid-call members of the department.
This fall, that spirit of giving will be taken to a new level.
The first annual Mayor鈥檚 Charitable Gala will be held Saturday, Sept. 22 by Township firefighters, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 4550, Mayor Jack Froese, and Township Council. The event, a Farm to Table Fall Festival that will include a gourmet dinner, special musical guests, entertainment and activities, and fun, fundraising opportunities, will be hosted by Darvonda Nurseries.
Proceeds from the 2018 Mayor鈥檚 Charitable Gala will go to the 91原创 Memorial Hospital Emergency Department and other charities supported by the TLFCS. Tickets go on sale June 1 at tlfcs.org and sponsorships are being sought to make the evening a huge success. To help out, email gala2018@iaff4550.org.
鈥淥ur firefighters are huge contributors to this community. Not only do they play a vital role in keeping our people and property safe, they are personally dedicated to giving back to others,鈥� said Froese. 鈥淭heir efforts have a huge impact and we were thrilled when they suggested partnering for this fundraising gala. We have seen this type of event work for neighbouring municipalities, and know the entire community will benefit from the funds raised through the generosity of the Society and everyone who gets involved.鈥�
鈥淭he Gala is important to the TLFCS because it will raise our profile within the community and create a successful, annual fundraising event that our community will look forward to,鈥� said Burwell. 鈥淭hat the Mayor鈥檚 Office has gotten on board so enthusiastically to help our Charitable Society is an incredibly humbling show of support for a group that has worked tirelessly to do good within the community.鈥�
Since its formation, the TLFCS has raised and contributed an average of $20,000 each year to its charitable partners, including the BC Professional Firefighters鈥� Burn Fund, Canadian Cancer Society, Basics for Babies, and Muscular Dystrophy Canada. A healthy snack program provided by the TLFCS and the 91原创 School District Foundation is currently offered in ten local schools, with the goal of reaching every school in the district.
As well, Township firefighters contribute to a voluntary payroll deduction program, which provides a reliable source of income to sustain their programs.
鈥淭o understand what compels a firefighter to pursue benevolent activities, you have to understand what it means to meet the basic requirement of the fire service: responding to emergency calls,鈥� Burwell said. 鈥淎s career firefighters, we鈥檝e dedicated our professional lives to living at a fire hall and providing the security net that is called upon to deal with our community鈥檚 worst days. Our paid-call members put their daily lives on hold to help out when called on, and are an important part of that emergency response.鈥�
Because of those requirements, he said, the fire service becomes a wellspring of community-mindedness. Those who join quickly discover that it will act as a service club, providing camaraderie amongst like-minded people and focusing their drive to do good work in their community.
鈥淭he Mayor鈥檚 Charitable Gala is a great example of the cycle that is created,鈥� Burwell said. 鈥淭he TLFCS benefits from the generosity of its supporters, the funds generated by the Gala will help with LMH鈥檚 Emergency Department, and the hospital, in turn, benefits the community and inspires their generosity.鈥�
