Altona Fire Department Raises Money For Charity

The Annual Altona Fire Department’s Boot Drive took place Saturday morning during the Manitoba Sunflower Festival parade.

The drive which began in 1994, has raised more than $54,000 over the years.

Volunteer firefighter, Daryl Rempel says this is a testament to the hospitality and graciousness of local parade goers.

Rempel shares how things went this year.

“It was just phenomenal. We have had people who actually roll up their change at home and bring it, they are prepared for this. You always get a few people who say, oh I totally forgot, but you know what, that’s fine. They some how find a way to still get us the money so we can add it to our tally. This year our tally was more than last year, we raised $5,776.”

Rempel notes the funds raised will be split between two charities, the Provincial Firefighters Burn Fund, and the Gardens on Tenth in Altona.

He explains the parade gets their members out in the community and draws a positive reaction from parade goers.

“For us it’s a great public relations gesture or act if you will. It actually gets our faces so people can put names to the faces and see who some of our members are. You see everything; you see young kids smiling while dropping in a quarter or toonie or something like that. You see the elderly; you know here this is all going towards a good cause, we know what you guys do and we appreciate it. The reaction is just fantastic.”

He adds the boot drive gets residents in touch with the department with people feeling they are helping the community in return for when they need help.

Written by Brad Fehr/Dean Penner on Wednesday, 30 July 2014 / PembinaValleyOnline.com (http://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=39251%3Aaltona-fire-department-raises-money-for-charity&Itemid=338)