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Firefighter appreciation dinner “humbling”

Community gets behind local volunteer fire department
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Irene Rasmussen signs the mural created by 108 Elementary School at the community hall during the Lions Club’s appreciation dinner. Brendan Kyle Jure photo.

Roughly 180 people showed up to a dinner organized by Lions and Spruce Hills Resort to show support and appreciation for 108 Mile Volunteer Fire Department’s efforts during this summer’s wildfire on Nov. 18.

The event was sold-out two days prior and the proceeds, amounting to $3,240 were given to the 108 Mile Volunteer Fire Department.

“We’ve had several people ask us, “what can we do for the firemen to say thank you?” so when we heard that we started thinking and Spruce Hills offered the meal so we organized it,” said the organizer Donna White.

“The schools provided artwork from the kids to say thank you and developed a mural for people to sign.”

Three Lions members cold-called several local businesses to enlist their help with the dinner. According to White, local businesses covered the costs of the firefighters and their families with a combined donation of $600.

“The involvement has been absolutely unbelievable as well as the turnout,” said White. “People want to say thank you.”

“Even after the fire, once we all returned, the amount of days and nights they were called out putting out fires, they worked weeks and weeks with unbelievable stamina,” said White.

Fire Chief Marcelle Reid said the community support was overwhelming and humbling.

“We don’t expect a thank you because this is what we do for the community,” he said.