AFDE & Partner Unions Support Local Fort St. John Charities
Pictured left to right: Scott Marshall (AFDE Project Director), Konrad Tarry (IUOE Business Rep), Chris Mansel (LiUNA! Business Rep), Craig Ebeling (CMAW Head Steward)
This is our 5th Holiday Season at Site C! AFDE is privileged to be working in the Peace Region, and we endeavour to be a positive influence in the community.
Our craft employees are primarily represented by three Unions: IUOE Local 115, LiUNA! Local 1611, and CMAW Local 1998. AFDE and these three Unions partnered equally to support local charities with a donation of $40,000. Over the next several days, Jennie Gagnon and Troy Van Bostelen distributed the funds to six different charities:
FSJ Firefighters Charitable Society
AFDE has an excellent working relationship with the Fort St. John Firefighters – including collaborative training with our ERT. Their Charitable Society is a volunteer organization run by Firefighters who are members of the IAFF Local 2143. Their work focusses on supporting medical transport and associated aid for individuals who need medical care not available in the region, as well as supporting the BC Professional Firefighter’s Burn Fund. https://www.fsjfcs.com/
FCS at the FSJ Station #1
FSJ Hospital Foundation
The FSJ Hospital Foundation is dedicated to enhancing patient care and comfort at the Fort St. John Hospital and the Peace Villa Residential Care Facility. https://fsjhospitalfoundation.ca/
Women’s Resource Society
We have been supporting the WRS for 5 years. Among other things, the Society provides emergency relief for people in crisis – food, clothing, household necessities, hygiene products and other essential items for women, children and men in need. They are very active in the community, providing assistance to over 1,000 people in need every month! www.fsjwrs.ca
North Peace Riding for the Disabled Association
The North Peace Riding for the Disabled Association provides Therapeutic training which mixes traditional horsemanship skills with physical therapy to help improve the strength, balance and self-esteem of the riders who range in age from 3 to 80 years old.
FSJ Senior Citizen’s Association
The FSJ Senior Citizen’s Association runs the Senior’s Centre which enables seniors to socialize and participate in a variety of recreational activities. The Association strives to be self-supporting by renting out their hall, and through holding their “old-fashioned” bingos. Both of these revenue streams were severely impacted by Covid restrictions, so the seniors really appreciate the support.
FSJ Literacy Society
It is estimated that over 35% of working-age people do not have the literacy skills they need to achieve their goals in the modern economy. The Literacy Society is dedicated to promoting literacy for all individuals and groups, though classes, individual one-to-one tutoring, and ESL programs. Our donation was targeted to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program for two months. http://fsjliteracy.ca/