Surrey students benefit from Surrey Fire Fighters charitable efforts
Surrey students will continue to learn on fuller stomachs thanks to the ongoing charitable efforts of the Surrey Fire Fighters Association, who have been supporting local schools for more than 25 years.
The organization recently completed a large annual shop for the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Nutritional Snack Program, a yearly food donation by the the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Nutritional Snack Program Society to ensure students in Surrey don’t go hungry. The snacks are purchased using funds collected by the fire fighters for the program and redistributed to students and schools in need of support.
“Unfortunately, nutritional food is not always accessible for some of our students, but with the continued generosity of the Surrey Fire Fighters, these snacks have put smiles on our learners’ faces and provides them with the motivation to reach their daily educational goals,” said Vanessa Seco, Acting Manager of Business Development with Surrey Schools.
The snack program was founded in 1997 and serves estimated 5,000 students per year.
"Since we began in 1997, teachers have told us time and time again, a hungry child can’t focus on the 3 Rs – reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic – when they’re preoccupied with the hollowness in their stomach," said Captain Dan Kehler with the Surrey Fire Fighters. "When that basic need is addressed, they’re able to embrace the learning experience."
Items included in the snack program include fruit juice, granola bars, sesame snaps, fruit cups, cheese and crackers, and other non-perishable grocery items that can easily be distributed to students.
“Kids are waking up early and going to school before first bell to access food, sometimes the only food they’ve had since the prior school day, "said Kehler. "We’re extremely proud that every dollar donated to our program is spent on food – breakfast, lunch and snack items. Administrative costs are covered by the Surrey Firefighters."
“They have been amazing community partners,” said Seco. “We are so grateful for this partnership and as the need grows in our district, they have always stepped up and met the needs of our school communities.”
And despite that increase in program demand, the Surrey Fire Fighters Association remains steadfast in its commitment to Surrey Schools, with off-duty volunteers transporting the food to schools whenever it’s needed.
"These kids need us and our community donors and firefighters are committed to being here for them," said Kehler, who estimated this year's program will cost more than $200,000. "Those that generously give money to the cause are truly the lifeblood of our program. We have community donors and partners who we are eternally grateful for. Their generosity has impacted so many lives and we wouldn’t be able to do what we currently do without them.
“Every child deserves a fair start, and we strongly believe that, so we’ve never had a concern getting people to come out.
“As long as the kids in Surrey Schools need us, we’ll be here.”
In addition to the Snack Program, the Surrey Fire Fighters also host the Goodwill Sr. Girls Basketball Classic, an annual tournament dedicated to supporting volunteerism, diversity in the fire service and female sport. As part of the tournament, bursaries are awarded to seniors who have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service in their community, with more than $70,000 awarded to date.
The Surrey Fire Fighters Association is currently holding a 50/50 raffle with proceeds going to initiatives like the Nutritional Snack Program, bursaries for students and the Goodwill Sr. Girls Basketball Classic.
Those interested in donating to the Surrey Fire Fighters Association can do so online here.
