The Nelson Professional Firefighters Charitable Society has raised $2,000 for SD8 elementary schools within the City of Nelson for the fourth year running - $500 each for Hume Elementary, Rosemont Elementary, South Nelson Elementary, and Wildflower Nelson.
The society raises money annually through a fall charity golf tournament and a winter “boot drive” in December when they collect money from local shoppers and visitors outside Nelson businesses to benefit a variety of community organizations and causes.
“Communities have been great at supporting the causes [firefighters] support and it’s our pleasure to make these donations to the kids’ food program again. We have kids, and it’s one of our top priorities to support all children.”
Funds donated to the school district will be used to buy food items that other food programs don’t provide, or to feed students after school or during weekends and holidays.
“The kids literally eat up whatever we provide,” said Wildflower Nelson Principal Nick Graves. “We bought several boxes of apples recently and they were all eaten within a couple of days. It’s so great to be able to provide healthy food to hungry students and see them devour it in front of you.”
Principal Graves says that families whose children attend Nelson area schools have varying levels of need and the Nelson Professional Firefighters’ monetary donations allow students to eat healthy, good food so they can think, create and learn.
“This money goes directly to feeding students who need snacks or meals when they are at school, and to those families who need something after school and in some cases on weekends and holidays to make ends meet. When we feed families we feed children, and when children are nourished, they can learn.”
Nelson firefighter Chas Misener says that the Nelson Professional Firefighters are committed to supporting the community they live and work in.
“This is all off duty. This is where we do [fundraising] to help the community outside of our job. We have built so much good credit being part of this community as firefighters that it’s our way of showing that people have been so great at supporting us, we want to support them.”
That continuing cycle of gratitude and generosity feeds local families and a community that helps children learn, grow and thrive.