A fundraising car wash, organized each year by the Bradford Volunteer Firefighters Association, was held this past weekend to raise money for a wide range of community causes — from minor sports and Southlake Regional Health Centre, to Big Brothers Big Sisters of York and local families in need.
“Last year we helped three or four families with medical challenges,” said Allan Grant, president of the Bradford Volunteer Firefighters Association. “We’re doing the same this year.”
The car wash took place in the parking lot of Bradford’s Canadian Tire store, and vehicles began lining up before the official start.
There was a steady stream of cars and trucks, as at least 20 volunteer firefighters, helped out by kids from the South Simcoe Sonics Basketball Club, hosed down, scrubbed and buffed the vehicles for a donation.
The Canadian Grill food truck not only provided food for the volunteers but donated $100 — a portion of sales from the day — and the Canadian Tire store promised to match the funds raised, up to a maximum of $2,000.
The car wash raised $2,551,15. The total, with Canadian Tire’s top up, came to $4,551.15.
“A big thank you to the community,” said Grant. “It’s been solid.”
Among the families who received assistance last year was the Donkin family.
Mason Donkin was diagnosed with Chiari malformation, a serious disorder affecting an estimated one in 1,000 people, caused by a malformation of the skull that crowds the cerebellum into the spinal cord.
The volunteer firefighters plan to provide a donation to the Donkin family again this year, as well as to a local family struggling with autism, and a young girl with disabilities in need of a specialized bed.
The firefighters also plan to support the 2nd annual Walk for Chiari in support of Mason, who is still awaiting his surgery, on July 14 at 11 a.m. outside the BWG Leisure Centre. For more information, email [email protected].
