Fire departments in Parksville Qualicum Beach are gearing up to fill their boots for food.
Again this year, there will be no door-to-door collection of food or toys. On Nov. 13 and Nov. 14, firefighters will collect cash donations for the Salvation Army Food Bank at locations throughout the Parksville Qualicum Beach area, at their fire halls and some will be accepting donations at their fire halls on Nov. 20 and 21. Parksville Fire will accept new unwrapped toys for the Society of Organized Services.
Information on department collection is provided below; however, residents should confirm arrangements with their local department. Each year, Parksville Qualicum Beach area residents generously contribute and firefighters look forward to another successful year.
READ MORE: Fire departments raise close to $90K during annual food and toy drive
The Bow Horn Bay Fire Department will accept curbside cash and food donations at the Bow Horn Bay fire hall, 220 Lions Way, on Saturday, Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Fire chief Clayton Bucoviz can be reached at 250-757-9433, or by email; bhbfire@shaw.ca.
Members of the Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department will collect cash donations on Nov. 13 and Nov. 14 at locations in Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Acting lieutenant Kevin Fuson can be contacted at 250-752-2144, or by email at coombsdata@shaw.ca.
The Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department, at 230 Hobbs Rd., and Meadowood fire hall, at 1800 Galvin Pl., will accept curbside food and cash donations on Saturday, Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
On Saturday, Nov. 20, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the Deep Bay Fire Department will accept food and cash donations at the fire hall, 5031 Mountainview Rd. Chief George Lenz can be contacted at 250-757-2030 or by email at deepbayfire@dbid.ca.
The Errington Fire Department, Station No. 1, will collect cash and food donations at the Co-op Gas Bar at the corner of Church Road and Alberni Highway on Nov. 14 and Nov. 21, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Fire chief Troy Bater can be reached at 250-248-5601, or by email at chief@evfd.ca.
On Nov.13, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department firefighters will be at Springford Farms and Nanoose Quality Foods to collect cash donations. As well, residents may purchase Quality Foods gift cards rather than a cash donation. Donations will go to the Nanoose Community Cupboard to assist residents in need. Denis Holme can be contacted at 250-468-7141, or by email at nanoosevfdtrainingofficer@shaw.ca.
Parksville Volunteer Fire Department firefighters will collect cash donations for the Salvation Army Food Bank at several locations throughout Parksville on Nov. 13 and Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations of new unwrapped toys will also be accepted for the Society of Organized Services. Capt. Mark Adelborg can be reached at 250-248-3242, or by email at firedept@parksville.ca.
On Nov. 13 and Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Qualicum Beach Fire Department firefighters will accept cash donations at the fire hall, 130 Rupert Road East, outside Quality Foods (705 Memorial Ave.) and at the Qualicum Beach BC Liquor Store (706 Primrose St.). Deputy fire chief Friso McKenzie can be reached at 250-752-6232, or by emailing fmckenzie@qualicumbeach.com.
– NEWS Staff, submitted