Delta Firefighters – Healthy Snack Program

Photo Credit Sportswave

I was fortunate to attend the first ever Delta Mayor’s Charity Ball which was held at the Cascades Delta Casino that managed to raise over $600,000 helping local school age kids have access to healthy snacks at school during the school day. 

To no surprise the event was sold-out and completely arranged by the Delta Firefighters Charitable Society with Realco Properties being the presenting sponsors.

While some question the sponsorship from various individuals as well as businesses in the area should know that this is entirely volunteer-run and that much of its funding comes directly from Delta firefighters.

This comes by means of their payroll deduction program that has the department’s members donate money (yes DONATE) every paycheque to support charitable initiatives.

The event held May 4th saw everyone arriving around five that featured a welcoming committee inside the main doors or the Casino that attracted businesses, community members for an evening all directed for a great cause – School Children.

Erin Cebula was the MC that had on display an impressive performance by Juno-nominated singer Warren Dean Flandez along with a choir and dancers and a band.

Speeches by Delta Mayor George Harvie and Delta Fire Chief Guy McKintuck along with promotional videos along with presentations by firefighters which highlight the work their charitable society does through its Healthy Snack Program.

The event was a fundraiser for their program which “kicked-off” in March of 2021 first at the six North Delta schools focusing to address food issues which were worsened by COVID-19 but has since grown supporting students at 39 elementary and secondary schools in addition to several special programs requiring this.

Delta firefighters provide schools with food to feed kids in need during the day giving them the proper food choices they need to be not only healthy but required to learn and are available to students allowing them to grab should they feel hungry.

The program continues to see students using the program increase each year, initially starting at 900 in only the second year (2021-2022) growing this year to 1,500.

Helping this ever-growing number of kids also comes with a growing financial burden, as annual costs have surged from $5,550 in 2021 to $94,500 for the current year. 

Delta Firefighters Association (AIFF Local 1763) President Mike McMillan said in a press release that “All of the money raised at the Gala will significantly contribute to the Delta Firefighters Healthy Snack Program” adding the initiative “plays a vital role in ensuring a brighter future for our children.”

We had a chance to talk with Warren Balzer who was more that open to discuss the program helped kick-off the program in addition to being one of its co-ordinators told me “proper nutrition is extremely crucial for a child’s development and having this support we can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of several children living in the community of Delta.”

I also had the opportunity to grab an interview with Delta Mayor Harvie who told me that the support shown by the community shows not only the compassion but generosity in Delta.”

In today’s world it’s the kids that get the blunt end of society’s problems which are caused by Adults which is sad to see and that’s where communities must come together to support not only each other but also today’s youth.

It’s the kids that are dealt with society’s problems and issues noting that many families are faced with various problems, one of which is a financial issue that has increased from $5,550 in 2021 to $94,500 for the current year. 

Out of all the negative stories in the world this one makes you feel a sense of pride knowing that it is entirely run by volunteers with much of the funding coming directly from Delta firefighters via a payroll deduction program, wherein the department’s members donate money every paycheque to support charitable initiatives.