Going virtual proved an actual success for the Port Moody Firefighters Charitable Society’s annual pancake breakfast.
Organizer Rob Shoucair said last Sunday’s event surpassed its overall goal of raising $40,000 to support various causes like the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation, Crossroads Hospice Society and the Mossom Creek fish hatchery. He said much of the money came from corporate and individual sponsors, as well as proceeds from a 50/50 draw and raffle.
But, Shoucair added, there’s still time to contribute to the group’s GoFundMe campaign that hopes to account for $10,000. That effort is currently just shy of $7,000, with donations being accepted until Friday.
The breakfast, a summer highlight in Port Moody for 43 years, was forced online because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual presentation included an obstacle course race, a demonstration of the department’s new aerial truck, as well as pancake flipping and stacking competitions.
Meanwhile, firefighters from across the province were also busy raising more than $200,000 for their Burn Fund’s annual Burn Camp, even as campers and volunteers had to stay home this year because of the public health crisis.
The efforts of various fundraising initiatives, including the pancake breakfast in Port Moody as well as money raised by Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam firefighters, culminated in a special online presentation that featured comedic videos, and an original song called I Am Phoenix, composed by Sammy Badger, a burn survivor herself.
Young burn survivors pitched in with fundraisers of their own, such as lemonade stands and the sale of travel mugs.
This is the first time in its 27-year history that young burn survivors, aged six to 18, aren’t able to attend the Burn Camp in Squamish. The fund covers all of their expenses, about $3,000 per child.
