Airdrie’s Firefighters and Police Officers are facing off on the ice once again for a good cause.
The fifth annual Sirens charity hockey game raises funds for the local Christmas Hamper program organized by the Airdrie 1st Club, formerly Airdrie Lioness.
The red and blue teams will strap on their skates for a puck drop at 2 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Ron Ebbesen Arena.
“There's definitely a little bit of rivalry because each team definitely wants to win, just for the bragging rights,” said Andrew McPherson, charities president of the Airdrie Professional Firefighters Association. “But at the end of the day, the common goal is to get as many donations into the bins prior and during the game to help out the Christmas hamper program to support Airdrie and local Airdrie and area families during Christmas.”
McPherson added that this game is one of the association’s favourite charity events as the firefighters get to play a fun game of hockey with the community out enjoying the entertainment, all while raising money to help the families they serve every day.
“I'm hoping for a nice competitive game and we'll see [who] comes out on top,” McPherson said.
Everyone is welcome to the community event and entry to the arena will cost a donation, gift card, or cash.
“The number one donation that anyone should ever make with our program is always a financial contribution because we can stretch that dollar through our relationships and such,” said Heather Harke, media member for Airdrie 1st Club.
This year, a high demand for stocking stuffers for men and teenage boys was identified.
“We're specifically looking for things like gift cards for men and teens, they are some of the items that we struggle with each year,” Harke explained. “There are men in the program that are part of our families or seniors or singles and we often don't get gift cards for men or for teens.”
Harke added that great gift donations for teens are things that allow them to hang out with their friends, like Starbucks gift cards or mall gift cards.
“Our second set of gift cards we really have in need would be our groceries,” she said. “Our grocery gift certificates we get asked the most for are Walmart gift cards.”
Airdrie 1st has seen an application increase of 75 per cent to the hamper program over last year, which is a little bit concerning in terms of donations, Harke said.
“Our goal is to make sure we get a hamper to anyone that is in need that qualifies through our screening program,” she said. “We are really hoping to ensure that every family has something that makes them feel supported by the community and they can give their kids or themselves a warm meal and something around the holidays that helps them have holiday cheer as well.”
When the public arrives at the Ron Ebbesen Arena on Dec. 3, the Airdrie 1st staff members will be ready to greet them.
Two donation bins, a red and a blue bin to represent the Fire Department and Airdrie RCMP, will be placed in the lobby. The public can choose which bin to support, embracing yet another competition aside from the hockey game.
During the hockey game, individuals can also support the hamper program by buying 50/50 tickets.
Harke said last year one of the RCMP members won the 50/50 and then donated his half back to the program.
“It was just so incredible that he gave us his winnings last year,” Harke said.
Special guests Olly and Jacob from “ON THE BENCH“ will join the teams on the ice this year.
Harke noted they both have a large online presence and will add a level of competitive professionalism to the game.
Fire came out on top in a 13-4 game last year, and just over $4,000 was raised for the Airdrie 1st club Christmas Hamper program, according to a Facebook post by the Airdrie Professional Firefighters Association.
“It's competitive and light in nature,” said Harke, noting last year was a fun, positive, Canadian-focused, family experience with much of the community getting together for the friendly game.
Red donation boxes will be located at all three Airdrie Fire hall lobbies and a blue donation box at the RCMP Station from Nov.12 to Dec. 4.
