Over $35,000 raised through Sooke Firefighter’s Association and IAFF Local 4841 Campaign
Thursday, December 17, 2020 – The Sooke Firefighter’s Association and IAFF Local 4841 put a call out to the community to raise $15,000 and support 400 families this holiday season, and Sooke – you delivered, illuminating the holiday spirit and raising over $36,735.87 for the Sooke Christmas Bureau through the Sooke Firefighters Charitable Giving Campaign.
The campaign is an important part of the community, not only to support the Sooke Food Bank but also to spread holiday cheer. “Our firefighters wanted to ensure we could still participate in a way that was safe for the community and safe for the team,” shares project co-chair Firefighter Heather Lane. Collecting funds online and through contactless means on the Sooke Santa Run and in front of local grocery stores offered a solution. “As always, the highlight of this initiative is the giving spirit of our community. We’re honoured to play our role in connecting the generous donors with those families in need this Christmas season,” adds Firefighter Ben Temple.
As four fire trucks made their way through the community on December 12th, the energy of the community was electric. “Sooke is a resilient community, with so much heart. As we look ahead to a new year, what a way to show heart with residents supporting each other through this campaign and contributions to the Sooke Food Bank,” Mayor Maja Tait describes. “To know this is this one in a list of campaigns, the generosity we are seeing is a virtual hug for the community,” Tait said.
As Tait reflects, this is one of several campaigns this season:
- Rotary Club of Sooke raised $20,000 through an online auction and collected 200 pairs of socks;
- the community Facebook page, Meanwhile in Sooke, raised over $12,000;
- Edward Milne Community School 10 000 Tonight Food Drive took a virtual approach including an online auction (final tally underway);
- Otter Point Dental matched community donations (final tally underway);
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch #54 donated $1,500;
- Fields collected toy donations;
- Otter Point Fire Department’s raised $3,000 during their Candy Cane Run;
- Village Foods made a $5,000 contribution and;
- Western Foods is doubled cash donations through products.
In addition to these campaigns, the District of Sooke Council made a $10,000 contribution and Mayor Maja Tait recently won a $3,000 donation for the Sooke Food Bank through a campaign hosted by Fortis BC and the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities.
While families prepare to gather differently this year, knowing all households have access to warm meals because of the generosity of the community is something for all of us to be proud of.
To learn more about the Sooke Food Bank including accessing resources or making additional contributions, please visit foodbanksooke.org.
Related:
- 40 volunteers make the Sooke Santa Run possible this Saturday, December 12th, published December 10, 2020
- Sooke Firefighters Charitable Giving Campaign and Plan for Sooke Santa Run Announced, published November 17, 2020
Media contact:
Ben Temple, Sooke Fire Fighters IAFF 4841 Secretary
Phone: 250.884.6712
Email: secretary@iaff4841.org
