As a new firefighter in Saanich, it didn’t take Joel Jackson long to become involved with the charitable side of things.
It was about six years ago that he first started with a fundraiser for MS Society. One effort led to another and Jackson is now in his fourth year as the executive director of the Saanich Fire Department Charitable Foundation.
The organization donated $65,000 to 18 different charities and community groups in 2016, and is also on track with its 10-year pledge to raise $250,000 for the Victoria Hospital Association, a joint project with Oak Bay, Victoria and Esquimalt fire departments.
“At six years in and at $150,000 raised, we’re proud to be on track with the pledge,” Jackson said.
The Saanich Fire Charitable Foundation started in 2001 and has steadily grown over the course of 16 years. Among its 2016 donations were $17,000 towards muscular dystrophy, $9,000 to Santas Anonymous, $5,000 to the B.C. Burn Fund, $4,000 to Kid Sport and $2,000 to Mustard Seed.
The foundation’s biggest event of the year is the annual Rock and Roll for Little Souls event, which happens May 26 to 28 at George Pearkes Recreation Centre this year. They also pull in donations from the “Fill the Boot” drives, with the next one coming May 12 and 13.
Most of the firefighters and some of the civilian staff also donate through their salary.
“We have about 98 per cent of our 115 members signed on the payroll deduction program, that brought in $12,000 last year,” Jackson said.
Firefighters also give back by attending community events such as the Sole Sisters Kids Run at Tillicum Shopping Centre (May 6), and through their work delivering food and loading trucks for Santas Anonymous at Christmas. They also work with the South Island Ravens hockey team for players with disabilities.
Jackson took over the lead role with the charitable foundation from former executive director and current Saanich firefighter Jared Barker.
“Jared did a lot for the charity and still does,” Jackson said. “I like to give back to the community. I find it came with the job, you want to help out, and you see the need in the community to help out beyond the emergency calls.”
Another of the newest initiatives for Saanich Fire Department (along with region’s other core fire departments) is the Santas Anonymous firefighters room. The room is available year-round and is stocked with clothes, toys and other amenities that families with young children would need if they lost belongings in a fire.
It’s a situation Jackson has witnessed first hand.
“One of my early calls was to a house fire on a kid’s birthday,” Jackson remembered. “They lost a lot of things, and we got together and were able to replace some of the gifts and clothing, and to try and salvage some of the birthday experience they lost.”
reporter@saanichnews.com