Firefighters planning spring formal fundraiser

Adelle Ellis

Times Reporter

 

The Wheatland West Firefighters Association (WWFA) will be presenting a Spring Formal Ball fundraiser on May 6 at the Lyalta Community Centre. 

This will be the first year the Spring Formal Ball is held. Fire department members hope to make it an annual event to replace the fall Ladies Night that was held in the past. 

“We want to be able to include our spouses and to have something a little more upscale and upbeat,” said Perry Lewin. “We want to make it more of a non gender-specific event and to get people dancing and having a good time.” 

There are 184 tickets available at a cost of $50 each, which includes a prime rib dinner with all the fixings, dessert, entertainment and a safe ride home. 

A live auction will take place with Frank McInenly Auctions donating their time and resources to conduct the auction. 

The WWFA is still looking for both monetary and auction item donations. They are currently looking for a big-ticket item, as well as some local art pieces. Money raised will go towards a new bush buggy, the equipment to go with it and training. 

“We are looking for some local artistic pieces that are created by people within our boundary so that we can showcase what the people here can do,” said Lewin, who added that the association wants to make the night about the community as much as about raising funds for the fire station. 

“We need support from the businesses and the landowners around us,” said Lewin. “It’s nice to have the support from the people that we are there to help in cases of emergency. As much as no one wants to think they may be involved in (an emergency), we have to think about our neighbours and to step up and think of our local fire department.”

After dinner, Lori Kole will play four 45-minute sets with her full band to keep the party and the dance going until around 1 a.m.