Fundraiser shifts from roof to ice

These have been interesting times for firefighters across the Edmonton region. In between all of their regular emergency duties, there's a small crew that has been perched atop Fire Hall #2, passing the time by playing shinny hockey during a major charity campaign called the Rooftop Campout.

One of their brethren from Edmonton has also been putting the finishing touches on planning a much grander game of the same sport, this time with a few fellows who know a thing or two about getting the puck in the net.

Chris Joseph is an Edmonton firefighter but spent his early career on defence with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He played with the Oilers too and a few other alumni of that team want to help fight muscular dystrophy with a friendly game.

"We're going to do our part so that they didn't ask us to stand up on the roof this time. We got lucky. I would much rather play hockey," he stressed.

There's a minor rivalry between Edmonton and St. Albert's fire crews during the Campout campaign. While hockey is well known for being a tough competitive sport, Joseph emphasized that this would be a gentlemanly game for a good cause.

"It's going to be more fun and friendly. I'm hoping … ," he laughed. "It'll be a skilful game. I really hope it won't be heated. I don't think any of us want that."

In addition to Joseph, the alumni team will feature Dave Lumley, Brian Benning, Fernando Pisani, Jason Strudwick, Norm Lacombe, Joaquin Gage, Sean Brown, Bruce Hardy, Doug Hicks, Kyle Rossiter, Dan Kordic, Jason Holland, Terran Sandwith, Nathan Dempsey and Derek Laxdal, along with special guest coaches Al Hamilton and Ron Low. He's even got a special guest referee … famed figure skater David Pelletier.

Joseph hopes to fill out all 2,000 seats at the Servus Place rink. To help get the crowds out, families can bring their skates and warm up with the players after the doors open at 5:30 p.m. But that's not all.

"We're going to try to make it as fun and interactive for the families as we can. We've got a few special tricks up our sleeves. I don't want to give them away."

Big bucks in the boot

The third Rooftop Campout for Muscular Dystrophy Canada wrapped up at Fire Hall #2 on Friday at lunch. Firefighter and co-organizer Greg Harvey said that the weather was fine but the outpouring of support was much, much finer.

"It went very well," he said, possibly understating the point.

He said that the donation tally to date stands over $40,000 with around $35,000 coming from roadside deposits into the boot from this week alone. That's already more than double the group's goal of $20,000. This doesn't even take into account the proceeds from the silent auction that runs until Feb. 28 at www.stalbertfirefighters.com.

"It's been another fantastic week with St. Albert residents stepping up to the plate huge for us again, like they normally do. We can always rely on them."

Pennies for peanut butter

Since the penny was phased out last week, many people have come forward to express their fondness for the copper cent and charities have started suggesting donations of the now outmoded money.

Servus Credit Union is helping that effort. It has an idea of what to do with all of those pennies collecting dust in your pickle jar at home. The bank's branches in more than two-dozen communities across the province are collecting pennies as a way of helping out various community organizations, primarily local food banks.

"Our thought is… that every penny counts," stated Sandra Pysklywyc, the company's manager of public relations.

Collections will continue until Monday, March 4. In St. Albert, the money will be donated to the St. Albert Food Bank and Community Village while the pennies collected locally in Morinville will go to the Morinville Food Bank Society. The Bon Accord/Gibbons Food Bank will benefit from the Legal collection.

Pysklywyc said that she has already heard of some people dropping off grocery bags and coffee jars of the coins. One charity has already reported collecting more than 100,000 pennies, or $1,000.

"When you think about every penny counting, it does add up. We're hoping to make a difference in the communities we serve."

Strikes for Cancer striking up donors for fifth outing

Jaden Babiuk was meant to have Thursday and Friday off because of the teacher's convention last week. Instead, he was drumming up support by pounding the pavement with his father, Marvin, and brother Ryan.

"It's a big day. We have to get prepared," said the 10-year-old founder of Strikes for Cancer, an annual charity bowl-a-thon for the Canadian Cancer Society.

This year's event takes place on Sunday, Apr. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's being held a little earlier this year in order to capitalize on a lull in the charity event calendar.

The Babiuks hope to garner more prizes and lane sponsors than last year, and they want to have a full house. Expertise in the sport is not required.

"You don't need to know how to bowl. You're still going to have fun," Marvin said.

People can sign up to participate on the website at www.strikesforcancer.com. Anyone who is interested in being a sponsor can call Lisa Babiuk at 780-459-0702.