The Cranbrook Firefighters’ Burn Fund calendar is out now. Each year the funds raised from sales of the calendar go to programs that benefit burn survivors and their families in B.C.
This is the third year of the calendar, which includes schedules for School District 5 and 6, Kootenay Ice and Kimberley Dynamiters home games and community events.
All the proceeds from the sales go to the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, a registered charity under the arm of the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Association.
Cranbrook firefighter Murray Robertson said the calendar campaign has so far been successful.
“In the last two years we’ve raised over $12,000,” said Robertson.
The Burn fund camp is a one week camp where they fly in kids from all over B.C. One little girl was even flown out of the Whitehorse as well.
“They basically just treat them like kings for a week and give them the opportunity to hang out with kids who have been through similar experiences,” Robertson explained. “So it’s pretty huge on their healing both mentally, physically and emotionally.”
Robertson has been a councillor at the camp for three years.
The camp is always in July.
“The past three years we’ve done it on Gambier Island,” he said. “This year we’re going to Squamish.”
Gambier Island is located within Howe Sound.
Robertson said they have also broke ground on the Burn Fund building in Vancouver.
“Construction should start in November and it should be done in a year,” he said. “It will house the Burn Fund head office.”
It will also house a place for the Future is Mine Adult Burn Survivor to meet.
On the second floor there will be eight suites for families of burn survivors to stay in while their loved ones are recovering in the hospital or coming back for surgery.
Robertson said he’s seen the Burn Fund help people in a number of ways, with the camp being just one part.
“We’re also doing fire prevention in elementary schools,” he said. “That’s how we got the poster for the calendar is through the Burn Awareness Week poster contest. We’re trying to educate kids to prevent burns because the majority of burns are preventable with a little bit of education and knowledge.”
The calendar began when Robertson approached Karen Johnston, publisher of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman. For Johnston the calendar was a way to give back to the community.
The Townsman manages advertising sales, communication and production of the calendar and it is printed locally at Rocky Mountain Print Solutions.
Each calendar costs $10 and can be purchased at the Townsman, the fire hall, city hall, Western Financial Place leisure services, Nutters, Chamber of Commerce and Fitness Inc.
Robertson is also hoping to get the calendars in other businesses, so if you are interested in having the calendars for sale contact Robertson through the fire hall at 250-426-2325.