Township Firefighters Heat Up Fundraising Efforts with Mayor's Charitable Gala

Every day, firefighters face challenges and situations that most people never want to encounter: car accidents, medical traumas, fires, gas leaks, and floods. Responding to emergencies and helping people who are hurt, trapped, and scared is what they do.

But caring for people in their community is not just their job – it is who they are.

“There are any number of reasons a person looks to become a firefighter, the common denominator being a desire to help their friends, family, and neighbours,” said Jhim Burwell, a member of the Township of Langley Firefighters’ Charitable Society (TLFCS). “Our work is based on very personal, very human interactions, and that kind of interaction is compelling. It shows that there are many ways to help your community, and drives you to want to find more ways to improve the lives of your neighbours and friends.”

To enhance local firefighters’ capacity to assist the people they protect, the TLFCS was launched in 2012. The Charitable Society focuses on the benevolent activities of the Township’s professional firefighters by raising funds for those in need, with the support of paid-call members of the department.

This fall, that spirit of giving will be taken to a new level when Township firefighters team up with the Mayor’s Office to present a new community fundraising event that will benefit local charities and initiatives. The first annual Mayor’s Charitable Gala will be held Saturday, September 22 by Township firefighters, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 4550, Mayor Jack Froese, and Township Council. The event, a Farm to Table Fall Festival that will include a gourmet dinner, special musical guests, entertainment and activities, and fun, fundraising opportunities, will be hosted by Darvonda Nurseries.

Proceeds from the 2018 Mayor’s Charitable Gala will go to the Langley Memorial Hospital Emergency Department and other charities supported by the TLFCS. Tickets go on sale June 1 at tlfcs.org and sponsorships are being sought to make the evening a huge success. To help out, email gala2018@iaff4550.org.

“Our firefighters are huge contributors to this community. Not only do they play a vital role in keeping our people and property safe, they are personally dedicated to giving back to others,” said Township of Langley Mayor Jack Froese. “Their efforts have a huge impact and we were thrilled when they suggested partnering for this fundraising gala. We have seen this type of event work for neighbouring municipalities, and know the entire community will benefit from the funds raised through the generosity of the Society and everyone who gets involved.”

“The Gala is important to the TLFCS because it will raise our profile within the community and create a successful, annual fundraising event that our community will look forward to,” said Burwell. “That the Mayor’s Office has gotten on board so enthusiastically to help our Charitable Society is an incredibly humbling show of support for a group that has worked tirelessly to do good within the community.”

Since its formation, the TLFCS has raised and contributed an average of $20,000 each year to its charitable partners, including the BC Professional Firefighters’ Burn Fund, Canadian Cancer Society, Basics for Babies, and Muscular Dystrophy Canada. A healthy snack program provided by the TLFCS and the Langley School District Foundation is currently offered in ten local schools, with the goal of reaching every school in the district.

As well, Township firefighters contribute to a voluntary payroll deduction program, which provides a reliable source of income to sustain their programs.

“To understand what compels a firefighter to pursue benevolent activities, you have to understand what it means to meet the basic requirement of the fire service: responding to emergency calls,” Burwell said. “As career firefighters, we’ve dedicated our professional lives to living at a fire hall and providing the security net that is called upon to deal with our community’s worst days. Our paid-call members put their daily lives on hold to help out when called on, and are an important part of that emergency response.”

Because of those requirements, he said, the fire service becomes a wellspring of community-mindedness. Those who join quickly discover that it will act as a service club, providing camaraderie amongst like-minded people and focusing their drive to do good work in their community.

“The Mayor’s Charitable Gala is a great example of the cycle that is created,” Burwell said. “The TLFCS benefits from the generosity of its supporters, the funds generated by the Gala will help with LMH’s Emergency Department, and the hospital, in turn, benefits the community and inspires their generosity.”

For more information, contact gala2018@iaff4550.org or Mayor Jack Froese at 604-533-6000 or jfroese@tol.ca.