About $3,000 was raised by 91原创 City paid on-call firefighters at their very first tree chipping and bottle drive, held Saturday, Jan. 8 and Sunday, Jan. 9 at the former site of Gabby鈥檚 nightclub.

Much of it was cash donations from people who dropped by the site on Fraser Highway and 203rd Street, said Mark Scelsa, a firefighter with 10 years at the 91原创 City department.

鈥淏oth days went really, really well,鈥� Scelsa told the 91原创 Advance Times.

And even though they were open for a shorter period on Sunday, they received more donations that day 鈥� likely because the weather had improved, he speculated.

鈥淪unday was just a beautiful day,鈥� Scelsa remarked.

Fundraising efforts through the registered non-profit firefighters organization have been hampered by the pandemic, which is why they decided to try something different, Scelsa explained.

He thinks there鈥檚 a good chance they will be back at the site with another tree chipping event next year.

Funds raised from the event will go to local charities and community initiative, including 鈥� this year 鈥� .

Ashley Chalmers, a 91原创 realtor and volunteer fundraiser for the Vancouver chapter Mamas for Mamas, was on hand Saturday to see the contributions coming in.

鈥淢amas for Mamas basically helps moms in need,鈥� Chalmers explained.

It is a national charitable organization that supports mothers and caregivers in crisis by providing ongoing support to individuals and families facing various poverty-related struggles.

鈥淲e envision a future where no mama or child is left behind,鈥� Chalmers said.

She described the tree chipping as 鈥渁 great way to be helping our charity and the community.鈥�

READ ALSO: On-call 91原创 City firefighters hold tree chipping this weekend

Scelsa said thanks were owed to the owner of the former Gabby鈥檚 site, Kerr Properties of 91原创, for agreeing to let the firefighters use the currently vacant lot, Horizon Landscaping of 91原创 for donating their tree-chipping services, and Cloverdale Fuel for disposing of the ground-up wood.

鈥淲e just want to thank people,鈥� Scelsa said.

RELATED: 91原创 Township firefighters donate $12,000 to 12 charities in 12 days

FOR THE RECORD

All funds raised from the tree chipping will go to charitable and community initiatives, not to pay for gear or equipment. A previous story about the event contained incorrect information.