A drive to raise cash for the Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department has doubled its total since January.
The crew has brought in nearly $27,000 to replace 20 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) packs. The total includes a recent $1,000 donation from the Coquitlam Rotary Club.
But organizers say they still have a long way to go to reach their target.
Campaign spokesperson Neil Belenkie, a Belcarra resident and firefighter, said another $143,300 is sought from residents, businesses and service groups.
"We struggle for the time to drive the fundraiser harder and continue to have challenges generating interest from corporate/large donors," he told The Tri-City News.
Last year, the 42 firefighters responded to 112 calls for help (its territory also includes two popular destinations: Buntzen Lake and Belcarra regional park). One of its biggest response calls was on Hamber Island last June.
And this week, the team was called to a car crash on Sunnyside Road, in which the occupant had to be extricated; the accident shut down power in Anmore for half the day.
• To make an online donation to the Sasamat Fire Department fundraiser, go to svfd.ca or call 604-839-5315.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
@jwarrenTC
