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Firefighters collecting food and clothes for charity

The Christmas spirit is alive and well as the Town of Westlock Fire Department will spend the remainder of December ensuring the Westlock and District Food Bank and Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) are well stocked.
L-R: Darcy Plamondon, Hertha Hauch, Brian Hegedus, Helen Renaud, Mike Walmsley and Joanne Plamondon show off a delivery of food collected by the Town of Westlock Fire
L-R: Darcy Plamondon, Hertha Hauch, Brian Hegedus, Helen Renaud, Mike Walmsley and Joanne Plamondon show off a delivery of food collected by the Town of Westlock Fire Department Dec. 7.

The Christmas spirit is alive and well as the Town of Westlock Fire Department will spend the remainder of December ensuring the Westlock and District Food Bank and Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) are well stocked.

Now in its third year, the department’s food and coat drive runs Dec. 3 to Dec. 24. Donation hampers will be set up at alternating grocery stores every Wednesday from 5-9 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. A fire truck will be on hand to advertise the bins.

People can drop food and clothing off at the donation bins or purchase a $5 to 10 food bag at Sobeys to donate on their grocery runs.

“We’re trying to make it easier for people to drop things off,” said deputy chief Dan Lucyk, who is organizing the campaign this year. “It gives our members the opportunity during a happy time to connect with people. A lot of times they have to meet with people at their worst times, so it’s good to have a positive connection.”

Last year they collected $4,340, 21 bags of winter clothing and 2,650 pounds of food and Lucyk said they’re looking to do even better this December.

So far they’ve collected 907 pounds of food, $569 and filled two bags of winter clothing.

Also in the works is a repeat of the Firefighter in the Sky drive, with a date yet to be determined. Lt. Brian Hegedus will be climbing the fire department’s ladder truck to draw in extra donations and support for the effort.

“Anything I can do for the community,” said Hegedus. “My kids are all big now, so it gives me something to do.”

Help from the fire department couldn’t come at a better time, with the food bank dealing with a larger volume of clients this year.

Food bank president Sharon Kennedy said they’ve taken on four new clients in the last week, so any help is welcome.

“I’ve had calls from people who have just moved to the area who wanted to know when they could pick up a package,” she said. “If we didn’t have the donations or the support of the community, we would have to close our doors. So thank you to the community for all the support.”

Lucyk said that anyone who wants to donate but is unable to get to one of the collection points should call him at 780-206-6800 to arrange a pick up.

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