WESTLOCK – With Christmas just around the corner, two local charitable organizations will get a much-needed boost thanks to the sixth-annual Firefighter in the Sky fundraiser put on by the Town of Westlock Fire Department with 3,448 pounds of food and $3,571.80 raised over four weeks.
While the final total didn’t break the donation record, it was the second most successful drive the department has hosted — in 2019, the drive netted 4,800 pounds of food and $3,900 in cash, while other years have averaged around 2,250 pounds of food and $2,750.
This year’s event capped Dec. 19 with captain Brian Hegedus taking to the sky atop the departments recently purchased Tower 1 rescue unit with a ladder that reached 106 feet. Past years used the department's old truck with a ladder of around 65 feet, putting Hegedus higher than he had ever been before.
Hegedus was lifted skyward shortly after 11 a.m. and by noon around 400 pounds of food and $340 were donated. Just past 1 p.m. 800 pounds of food and $735 was received by the fire department and when Hegedus returned to the ground shortly past 3 p.m. the total surpassed $2,000 alongside 1,200 pounds of food.
All donations will be split between Westlock and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and the Westlock Food Bank.
The fundraiser first began six years ago as an idea by Hegedus, who says his experience working on scaffolding helped him overcome any fear of heights. Every year the fire department sets up outside Sobeys and Finney’s Your Independent Grocer for four weeks to raise funds and food to help local organizations.
“Food banks are struggling to get as many donations as they can, so this is just something we thought up to help,” said Hegedus.
While the department was unable to hold their annual fundraiser last year, they were able to send Hegedus back up this year as COVID-19 restrictions loosened.
“Everybody is really stepping up and helping out. The food bank is really appreciating all the effort and are floored by the donations that are coming in,” said Hegedus. “It seems like the community has really stepped up this year. Last year we didn’t get to do it, so I think they made up for it this year.”
With temperatures sitting at around –21C on the ground, Hegedus estimated it was around –25C at the top of the ladder where he sat for four hours with only a small space heater and his firefighting equipment protecting him. No food and minimal water were brought up with Hegedus who says he avoids eating while “on the job” to keep himself from needing to descend and use the facilities.
“I’ve gotten really good at ignoring the hunger and the thirst,” Hegedus said with a laugh, happy to be out of the bucket and in a warm vehicle.
Despite being the star of the show Hegedus thanked the other firefighters who played a huge role in collecting the thousands of pounds of food and cash donations.
