The intrepid team of St. Albert firefighters came down from their three-day rooftop campout atop Fire Hall #2 on Wednesday just after lunch. They were triumphant in their endurance and surviving the harsh environmental conditions. It was their success with their latest round of fundraising for muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular disorders that offered them their greatest joy, however.
Amanda McIntyre confirmed that the group had already topped the $40,000 mark, going well past its goal of simply reaching $25,000 to help improve the quality of life of people with neuromuscular disorders.
She said that they couldn't have done as well without a massive gift from the students and staff at Sturgeon Heights School. After months of doing their own collections and fundraising, the school presented the firefighters with a cheque for $9,878.05 after an exhibition-type community wheelchair basketball game on Feb. 24.
"It was kind of a big shock to us. We didn't know that they were doing any fundraising," she said. "The guys were pleasantly surprised. It was pretty awesome."
It's the highest donation that they've received during their years of participating in this campaign. "It's even cooler when it comes from kids," she added.
That cheque, combined with the $6,000 that they raked in during their opening Fill the Boot weekend at the Inglewood Safeway plus an unspecified amount of tips earned during an evening of waiting tables at East Side Mario's in mid-February, have helped them climb pretty high up their tabulation ladder.
"We're still waiting to do our final counts," she said, mentioning that the online silent auction is still running until 4 p.m. next Friday. That can be found at www.stalbertfirefighters.com. All items are also available to view in person during regular office hours at Fire Hall #3, 100 Giroux Rd. Bidding ends at 4 p.m. on March 10.
The website also offers a link to make direct online donations to the cause as well.
All donations will go towards the funding of mobility equipment, support services and critical research through Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
Gala ooh la la
The Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation thanked its major sponsors and many attendees who all made their 25th annual Friend Raiser Gala a colossal success. The event on Jan. 28 netted more than $240,000 with all proceeds going to assist the hospital with enhancements to equipment, ultimately benefitting the health care of the patients.
The next gala has already been set for Jan. 27, 2018. Find out more at www.sturgeonhospitalfoundation.org.
