Mayor’s Gala 2007

2007 Mayor’s Gala Charity Ball

September 7, 2007

We are truly honoured to be representing the Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society. For the Society to be the recipient of the funds raised each year from the Mayor’s Charity Ball is astounding. The Fire fighters are a unique group of individuals who are driven by their passion to help people. Fire fighters are community minded and team oriented leaders that strive to make a difference in their communities. The years of tradition in the Fire Service have evolved and developed a template for attracting passionate individuals that want to make a difference.

This is truly evident in the thousands of volunteer hours the Surrey Fire Fighters donate to the community. From the early years of fixing used toys for children’s Christmas Gifts, to the current times of providing nutritional snacks in schools for hungry children. The Firefighters passion and efforts are spent in raising the self esteem of our underprivileged youth, through community programs and mentorship’s, to lay the ground work to ensure our youth become the leaders of tomorrow.

The Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society has chosen this year to include Mental Health and Addiction research to their long list of community initiatives they sponsor. This is evident in their support of the Mental Health and Addiction Emergency Treatment unit at the Surrey Memorial Emergency Room Expansion.

The unique nature of a Firefighter is driven by their desire to help people. If it is the first on a scene at a car accident, a fire, a chemical spill or an emergency, the firefighters are in the business of helping people. We have all seen the gaps in our communities’ social nets, when it comes to homelessness, sexual exploitation of our youth, homes that do not have enough resources to feed their families and the less fortunate of our society.

It is due to the undying commitment of Her Worship Mayor Dianne Watts, amazing events such as the Mayor’s Charity Ball, and the ongoing dedication of the Surrey Firefighters that will make a difference to our communities and the families in need. It is an honour and a privilege to serve the City of Surrey as a Firefighter and a member of the community.