For families who are looking to dispose of their Christmas trees, Langley City’s on-call firefighters are coming to the rescue.
Through a new tree chip and bottle drive initiative, on-call firefighters will raise funds for their association and share the profits with Mamas for Mamas, an organization supporting individuals and families facing poverty-related struggles.
Funds raised through this weekend’s tree chipping initiative will help the association offer scholarships to Langley students and organize other charity events. A portion of profits from the bottle drive will be donated to Mamas for Mamas.
“We’ve been meaning to do it for a while. This year, we wanted to make it happen,” said Austin Bower, an executive member of the Langley City on-call firefighters association.
Residents are asked to pay a minimum $10 donation per tree, Bower said. But the group is hoping for additional donations, too.
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The role of paid-on-call (POC) firefighters in the delivery of fire services to Langley City is critical, according to Langley’s fire rescue department. At major incidents, the POCs assist career firefighters and frequently respond independently to multiple calls for service.
“It’s a great group of people. We are honored to support and help our community,” said Aaron Salter, another member of the association.
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The association has also raised funds in the past for Cancer research and Big Brothers Big Sisters’ youth mentorship program.
At least a dozen on-call firefighters will participate in a two-day drive that will start on Jan. 8. They will be at the old Gabby’s Cabaret site at 20297 Fraser Hwy from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday the event will take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
For more information on Langley City’s on-call firefighters, people can visit the city’s fire rescue web page.
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Other chipping events on tap
Langley residents have a few options when it comes to disposing of real Christmas trees.
• 2nd Brookswood Eagles Scout Group: Christmas tree chipping and bottle drive. Chipping is by donation on Saturday, Jan. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Supporting Scouts Canada programs (camps, jamborees, training, field trips, etc.). At Brookswood Secondary School, 20902 37A Ave.
• Chipping Away at a Cure: This fundraiser is pick-up service only and takes place Saturday, Jan. 8, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tree chipping is by donation and is in support of the Canadian Cancer Foundation. Pick ups scheduled at:: www.chippingawayatacure.com.
• Ride2Survive’s annual Chipping Fundraiser: From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8 and Sunday, Jan. 9, people can support the Canadian Cancer Society’s Ride2Survive and Cops for Cancer at the corner of 197th Street and Willowbrook Drive in the mall parking lot. Drop off and Bartlett Tree Experts will handle the chipping.
• Ron Dunkley Memorial Society: Chipping by donation is Saturday, Jan. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Town & Field Church, 20719 48th Ave. by donation. Event raises funds for 2022 Brookswood and Langley Secondary scholarships.
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