The Islay Curling Club hosted its second annual Firefighter Appreciation Bonspiel January 24–28. Of the 12 teams that registered, three were fire department teams: Clandonald, Vermilion, and Islay.
Teams curled on the Wednesday and Thursday nights as well as all day Saturday and finals on Sunday, with an Appreciation Banquet held for local firefighters on the Friday night. The banquet had over 100 guests.
Many supporters came in during the curling to watch the games, get an Islay Burger, have a drink and socialize.
Members from the Clandonald, Vermilion, and Islay fire departments helped out alongside local volunteers and Islay Curling Club members in the kitchen and bar as well as with selling 50/50 tickets at the banquet. Silent auction items received bids throughout the weekend and a live auction was held at the banquet.
The event raised just over $9,000, which will be shared amongst all eight fire departments in the County of Vermilion River. Organizer Steven Westergaard expressed gratitude to everyone who was involved, and particularly to the firefighters who do so much for our communities.