]Guelph-Eramosa firefighter Jeff Simm says the township’s fire department tries to keep the proceeds from all its fundraisers within the local community.
In the past, area beneficiaries have included a Rockwood school, the East Wellington Community Services food bank, a local family who received help purchasing a service dog, and Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
This year, when it came time to donate the proceeds from the department’s Yuk Yuk’s fundraiser and a few other smaller benevolent endeavours, the decision was an easy one, said Simm.
Firefighters wanted to help the Wellington County chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada in honour of Danielle Crosbie, wife of platoon chief Rob Crosbie, who was diagnosed with MS last year.
“We wanted to make a donation to Danielle in support of [the MS Society],” Simm said during a cheque presentation on Aug. 26 at the Rockwood station.
He added he was proud of the way the department’s 30 members rallied behind the cause.
Danielle Crosbie, who seemed apprehensive about personally being involved, said she is pleased the donation will benefit the MS Society.
“It’s good,” she said simply of the fire department’s donation.
Penny Burton, regional director with the MS Society, said the donation will go towards programming, support groups and an equipment fund that helps purchase lifts, wheelchairs and scooters.
“This will be put to very good use,” she said of the donation on Monday night.
Burton noted Canada has the highest rate of MS in the world, and there is a great need for support in this region in particular, with 1,200 local people battling the disease.
She also commended the Guelph-Eramosa fire department, noting similar donations to the society are not that common from fire departments.
“This is the supportive fire department [in the area],” Burton said.
