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Newbie Victoria firefighters rustle up raffle for BC Burn Fund

Recruits organized holiday raffle raising $5,000 on top of the association’s annual donation to the BC Burn Foundation
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Victoria Firefighters Charitable Association donates $5,000 extra to the BC Burn Fund after hosting its first holiday raffle.

The Victoria Fire Department’s newest firefighters lit the fuse to boost the Victoria Firefighters Charitable Association donation to the BC Burn Foundation this year.

The  2024 recruits organized a holiday raffle raising an added $5,000 on top of the association’s annual donation to the BC Burn Foundation.

“This achievement would not have been possible without the generous support of countless Vancouver Island businesses. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this amazing cause,” Victoria Firefighters said on social media.

The BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund hosts the Bright Nights at Stanley Park plaza – though currently without the usual train – including dazzling light displays, family-friendly activities, food vendors, live entertainment and photos with Santa. Entry is free or by donation.

“We share in the public’s frustration regarding the news we received today concerning the train closure for the remainder of the holiday season,” burn fund executive director Jeff Sauve said in a news release. “At the same time, it’s been a week since the train has shut down and we are appreciative of the nightly turn out from the public since then. We have committed to keeping the plaza open and free for Bright Nights festivities.”

Greater Victoria firefighters are among the 1,000-plus from across B.C. and the Yukon who set up three million Christmas lights in the plaza, a tradition that now spans 27 years. Entry to the Bright Nights is free by donation, with funds used to support year-round programs for burn survivors and their families such as Burn Camp for kids and the Home Away Program, which provides accommodations at the Burn Fund Centre for burn survivors and firefighters who must travel to Vancouver for medical treatment.

“We are also proud to have one of our own, VFD firefighter Kirk Corby, serving on the Burn Fund’s board of directors,” Victoria firefighters said. ”Kirk has been a dedicated member of Victoria Fire Fighters Local 730 for over two decades, holding roles such as firefighter, driver, captain, and acting battalion chief. His commitment includes 18 years of involvement with Burn Camp, where he currently serves on the Burn Camp Committee. Additionally, Kirk is an active participant in the Fire Prevention and Thrive Program Committees. As the representative for the Adult Burn Survivors Program on Vancouver Island, he also acts as the liaison for Burn Fund representatives in the South Vancouver Island region.

Bright Nights runs to Jan. 4, from 4 to 10 p.m. Entry is by donation. Tickets for the associated 50/50 raffle are available to Jan. 10, 2025 at brightnightsraffle.com.



About the Author: Greater Victoria News Staff

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