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Firefighters exceed fundraising expectations

They went up, they came down, they conquered. Seven courageous members of St. Albert Fire and Emergency Service braved the elements during a particularly bitter cold snap two weeks ago. They stayed on the roof of fire hall No.

They went up, they came down, they conquered.

Seven courageous members of St. Albert Fire and Emergency Service braved the elements during a particularly bitter cold snap two weeks ago. They stayed on the roof of fire hall No. 2 for three full days as a way of drawing attention to muscular dystrophy (MD).

They also drew in donations. Their original goal of $15,000 was blown out of the water. After all of the drive-thru drop offs and bids on silent auction items were compiled, the total topped out at a whopping $35,000.

Organizer Kathi Sheedy was thoroughly impressed.

"St. Albert, we thank you. Because of St. Albert we were hugely successful."

She said that because this was the first time out for the local crews to get in on the MD Campout movement, they weren't sure what dollar figure to aim for.

"We originally were very conservative and we thought we could raise $5,000. Then we had a teleconference with the other locals in the area and we thought, 'We'd better step up to the plate. Let's go $15,000.' That sounded like a great number. If we could raise $15,000 then we would be thrilled with that."

"It's like winning the MD lottery!"

The effort was locally inspired by a family from Cardiff. The Gatts have two young sons with muscular dystrophy. The long-term MD campaign by firefighters all across North America has been going on for decades.

The information awareness and fundraising campaign still continues. To learn more about the disease or pledge online, visit www.muscle.ca and search for 'St. Albert Fire Fighters Campout.' Supporters can also make a $5 donation by texting the word MUSCLE to '30333'.

Curlers needed to support Victim Services

There is exactly one month before sweepers and rockers take the house at the newly refurbished St. Albert Curling Club for a new charity event. Saturday, April 9 is the date for the funspiel in support of St. Albert Victim Services.

Board member and past chair Holly Parker is eager to have people — anybody — come forward and participate. There is room for up to 24 teams with a minimum of 12 teams needed to run the event.

"[Right now] we have interest but nobody has done the formal team application."

Last year alone, Victim Services helped 2,050 people who were victims of crime or circumstance, including house fires.

Entry fee is $75 per person or $300 per team. No experience is necessary. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 9. A buffet dinner and silent auction will follow.

Contact Roy Thorpe at 780-459-4455 to register.

For more information call 780-458-4353 or visit www.stalbertvictimservices.ca.


Scott Hayes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

About the Author: Scott Hayes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ecology and Environment Reporter at the Fitzhugh Newspaper since July 2022 under Local Journalism Initiative funding provided by News Media Canada.
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