The recent St. Albert rooftop campout fundraiser not only netted a $48,946.69 donation to Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
It also earned the fearless firefighting team the distinction of being the charity organization's Fire Department of the Year for their exemplary and continued efforts in fundraising and public awareness.
St. Albert firefighter and fundraiser spokesperson Jay Howells said that the honour came right out of the blue for the team.
"It was a bit of a surprise, but a nice one for sure," he said. "It's an awesome honour, going up against big centres like Edmonton and Calgary."
Every year, fire departments across the country participate in a late winter campout to help support those afflicted with neuromuscular disorders and to further research into the causes of such disorders as muscular dystrophy. The local team takes it a few steps further by going all out with grocery store appearances, silent auctions, and even doffing their usual firefighting gear for more appropriate dinner attire to be servers and other hosts at the local East Side Mario's restaurant for an evening. The tips they earn on those occasions go straight into the firefighter's boot, their way of collecting donations.
The award will be presented to the St. Albert Fire Department during Muscular Dystrophy Canada's annual conference and banquet in three weeks.
Gorilla Run coming back for more
The costumed runners are on track to be back on the track for the eighth annual Edmonton Gorilla Run on Saturday, May 13.
The event has a new venue at Edmonton's Kinsmen Club, 9150 Walterdale Hill. There are various distances for different skill levels from a 5-km walk to a 10-km run. There's even a little gorilla 1-km run and a costume contest.
Gorilla suits can still be purchased with registration.
The event works to fundraise to provide scholarships in veterinary medicine for students who will directly impact the survival of the critically endangered mountain and lowland gorillas and in their natural habitat.
Later this summer, people can also partake in the Edmonton Ice Cream Run for the same cause.
For more information, call 780-616-3018 or visit www.edmontongorillarun.ca.
