The first annual Fireman’s Ball, held at the Barrhead Elementary School gymnasium on Saturday, Dec. 5, was a success comparable to the Festival of Trees’ fundraising gala on Nov. 28 with regards to turnout.
Town of Barrhead Councillor Ty Asaf, a member of the Barrhead Fire Services committee, shared a handful of amusing and heart-warming sentiments and poetry – one of which highlighted the pros and cons of being in a relationship with a firefighter, all the while inviting various members of the community who were present, among them Barrhead Fire Chief John Whittaker, to make individual toasts in honour of the night.
“Each and every one of you who is here tonight is helping out the community,” Whittaker said, adding that his staff had asked him to keep the toast length down due to his rambling nature.
“Whether you are a firefighter yourself or a friend of one, a councillor who bought an entire table, or even just somebody who happened to be passing by and donated, it shows that you want to give back to the community.”
“Here’s to Barrhead,” he said, raising his glass.
“It is an honour and a privilege for me, on behalf of town council, to express our sincere appreciation to all of the members of this fire department for your dedication and commitment to this worthy service for our community,” Mayor Gerry St. Pierre said, adding that he would be remiss if he did not extend the same appreciation to the spouses and the families of all the members as well.
“To you who make tremendous sacrifices to enable these people to do their job, as well as the many businesses of this community who allow their employees to leave their workstations at a moment’s notice to do this valuable service, I thank you.”
County Reeve Bill Lee agreed with the mayor’s sentiments.
“I agree with Gerry, what you guys do is very important to the community,” Lee said, adding that many communities have fire departments that fight fires and extract people from twisted wrecks.
“I think from what I’ve seen and heard however, that what makes this fire department that extra little bit of special, especially for us, is the camaraderie, the harmony and the friendship that the members of this fire department have amongst themselves.”
“I think that shows in how they are in our community and all of us are very, very grateful for that,” Lee added.
According to Scott Green, president of the Grizzly Trail Fire Association, the black tie event featured live entertainment provided by Jeremy Borschneck, the lead singer of the rock band Willhorse after a live auction event that supported local charities, as well as the Barrhead &Grizzly Trail Fire Association
“I would like to thank everyone who came as well as all of the businesses that support the fire department,” Jessie Whitney, vice president of the Grizzly Trail Fire Association said, adding that no one could ask for a nicer community.
