A light was shone on the needs of 91原创鈥檚 younger population, and consequently $700,000 was raised for a number of charitable projects aimed at caring for the community鈥檚 children and teens.

During the 鈥淪hine a Light鈥� themed Mayor鈥檚 Charitable Gala on Sept. 10, more than 400 guests came together in the arena bowl at the 91原创 Events Centre. And while enjoying an evening packed with food, entertainment, and camaraderie, they raised money for the new Foundry 91原创 and a snack program for school children in the community, explained IAFF president Jordan Sparrow.

鈥淭onight we are gathered to shine a light on the needs of one of most precious resources - our youth,鈥� he shared with the crowd. 鈥淲e are here to raise vital funds to support youth mental health programs for our kids, right here in 91原创.鈥�

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This event, in its fourth year, is an annual function organized by the Township of 91原创 Firefighters鈥� Charitable Society (TLFCS), made up of current and past members of the local fire crew who are dedicated to saving and safeguarding lives, and giving back to the community they serve.

Consequently, part of the proceeds from this annual evening soiree go to one of the society鈥檚 own community initiatives 鈥� their snack program, Sparrow said.

鈥淏ack in 2014 our charitable society identified a need for our youth, a need that we could help to fix. We identified that many of our kids are not going to school with proper nourishment. The school snack program was born.鈥�

For seven years now, the TLFCS has been ensuring children aren鈥檛 going hungry and can focus on learning by providing healthy snacks to students in 91原创 schools. Snacks are currently provided in 25 schools, and the goal is to extend the program to all 36 schools in the community, he explained.

鈥淥ur goal is to fund the entire program for all 91原创 schools through the benefits of our endowment fund. Once our endowment fund reaches $1 million, our snack program will be fully funded annually,鈥� he elaborated.

As well, the Foundry 91原创 鈥� a new centre that just opened this year on Eastleigh Crescent 鈥� is geared to provide health and wellness resources for youth ages 12-24, and their families. It too was a recipient of funds from the gala.

Part of the proceeds will seed what Sparrow described as an Innovation Fund for ongoing support of new programs for emerging and urgent needs.

Since the event was hosted by the mayor, council, and the firefighters, it was steeped in ceremony and tradition. Guests were greeted by a 91原创 honour guard who led the council of the day into the arena accompanied by the Surrey Firefighters Pipe & Drums Band.

The evening also included a 9/11 tribute and a variety of speeches.

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Aldergrove native Erin Cebula was MC for the evening and was joined by auctioneer Fred Lee who brought in more than $22,000 in a live auction. It featured a ride to school/work in a Township of 91原创 fire truck that was sold to the retiring Township Mayor Jack Froese for $1,700 and multiple pages in the 2024 firefighter鈥檚 pet calendar brought in $9,000.

This was the final gala for Froese, as he is not running for re-election. And the work he has done in the community, and in particular his support of the TLFCS initiatives, was recognized in a special presentation that included a firefighter axe by Sparrow.

Sparrow had dozens of volunteers join him on stage for the tribute.