It is that time of year where costumes come out of the closet, candy bags are filled and jack-o-lanterns are carved for the front step.
It is also time for volunteers from the Elmira fire station to host their annual Halloween dance and raise some money for a good cause.
For the second year running, firefighters are inviting Elmira and environs to join in on the holiday fun with a costume party, while raising money for muscular dystrophy, their own hall, and the family of one of their own.
“Of the [firefighters’] share, 50 per cent will be donated directly to muscular dystrophy. A small portion of the remaining funds will be utilized through various means to support members of our extended firefighter family,” shared firefighter Patrick Kelly, adding that some of the funds will be going towards helping the family of one of their fallen brothers. “Shawn Martin was a dedicated member, who served his community well. Shawn passed away in the summer of 2016 and he will be forever in the hearts of [Elmira firefighters]. Shawn’s family will always be a member of our firefighter family.”
The dance will also support the Woolwich Community Lions with their mission to buy a wheelchair-accessible van.
“That is just how the fire department does it, and the way we have done it for years,” said Don Schlupp, an Elmira firefighter. “Muscular dystrophy branches out into so many other diseases. It is basically the root of a tree with so many branches. It has touched so many people in our community.”
The evening is going to be a fun, spooky and entertaining night, with door prizes, and of course, a big prize for best costume. Last year, it was two partygoers with sugar skull costumes, evoking the mood of the Mexico’s Dia de Muertos (the Day of the Dead) who won.
This year, with the help of local sponsors and supporters, the big prize is a night out on the town in downtown Toronto, complete with Toronto Maple Leafs tickets, a night in a hotel close to the Air Canada Centre and a dinner voucher.
Adam Chowen is a volunteer firefighter with the Elmira department, and he couldn’t say enough about the community support the department has received over their last two dances.
“We have done this twice now and we have raised over $23,000,” he said. “They have always been really successful and the community really comes together for us. All the money raised goes right back into the community and that is important.”
The dance usually sells out, and tickets can be purchased from Woolwich Community Lions members, at the Elmira Meat Market, or from any of the volunteer firefighters.
“It is a good and fun event to get everybody out to,” said Schlupp. “It is just a fun, fun atmosphere and we are just trying to help people out at the same time.”
The dance is on Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. at the Elmira Lions Hall.
