VANCOUVER FIREFIGHTER CHARITIES TO DEBUT NEW 50/50 RAFFLE

VANCOUVER FIREFIGHTER CHARITIES TO DEBUT NEW 50/50 RAFFLE
DURING HONDA CELEBRATION OF LIGHT

Tickets on Sale July 19 Through August 31 for Fundraiser to
Benefit VFC’s Core Charitable Community Programs

Vancouver Firefighter Charities (VFC) is giving people across BC the chance to claim a potential jackpot of more than $120,000 and show their support for charitable causes by taking part in the VFC’s first-ever 50/50 Raffle.

Raffle ticket sales start on the opening day of the annual Honda Celebration of Light fireworks festival on Saturday, July 19 and can be purchased online for $10 each, or level up with three for $25 or 10 for $50 ,until Sunday, Aug. 31. The winning ticket will be drawn Monday, September 1 with the lucky holder collecting a maximum payout of $122,500.00.

Local firefighters and trucks will be on the scene at two locations — London Drugs at 710 Granville Street and Sunset Beach and Vanier Park — during the three nights of the Honda Celebration of Light Sat., July 19, Weds., July 23 and Sat., July 26 along with entertainment including the Firefighters Brass Band at Sunset Beach and Vanier Park and live DJs at London Drugs and selling raffle tickets, accepting donations and socializing with festival attendees.

Originally named the Symphony of Fire, the Honda Celebration of Light first became a summer staple in Vancouver back in 1990 and is recognized as the longest running off-shore fireworks festival in the world, hosting dozens of countries over the course of the event’s history. This year’s three-night series will showcase an all-Canadian lineup with teams from Yukon, Québec and Nova Scotia competing on Sat., July 19, Weds., July 23, and Sat., July 26, respectively.

Funds raised through the raffle will support a suite of VFC community programs that includes Snacks For Kids, Toys For Kids, Sports For Kids and Lifelines For Seniors. Vancouver Firefighters help fund these initiatives via their Payroll Donation Program where close to 85% of VFRS members donate a portion of every paycheque to the VFC. However, generous community support remains vital in ensuring the VFC’s programs can have the greatest possible impact.

“This is a real win-win for people across BC to take their shot at a huge jackpot and also show some love for vulnerable kids, families and seniors in their neighbourhood,” says VFC Executive Director Eric Himmelman. “The funds we raise from this raffle will help us continue to address the unique challenges that people in our community are faced with, and we’re incredibly grateful for everyone’s generous support!

To learn more about the VFC and its fundraising events and initiatives that benefit the the Vancouver community, go to vancouverfirefighters.ca.

Vancouver Firefighter Charities

Vancouver Firefighter Charities is how firefighters help people when they’re not at the firehall. Firefighters raise funds, then build programs to help in-need and at-risk people of all ages directly, with all programs and fundraisers managed by off-duty Vancouver firefighters who give their personal time and donate funds directly to VFC through voluntary payroll donations. Since 2012 the Vancouver Firefighters’ Payroll Donation program raised more than $1,000,000 for charitable programs like the Snacks For Kids Nutritional Program that ensured 300,000 food donations were made to almost 3,500 at-risk youth in 50 Vancouver schools. VFC has other programs including the BC Burn Fund, Sports For Kids and Lifelines For Seniors and supports and partners with a multitude of charitable organizations and causes throughout the Lower Mainland and beyond.