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Bentley Firefighters’ Foundation to take time off

It is official. The Bentley Firefighters’ Foundation (BFF) is taking a break.
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The Bentley Firefighter’s Foundation dispersed their funds on November 17. In the back is the foundation’s vice president Kathi Issler and president Krista Turner. In the middle row are Deputy Fire Chief Ian McLaren

It is official. The Bentley Firefighters’ Foundation (BFF) is taking a break.

In 2009 the Bentley Firefighter’s Foundation was formed to assist and support the Bentley volunteer fire department, especially with fundraising and awareness, and to offer some special community events.

Now, after just four short years, current president Krista Turner says, “We are taking a break. I see it as really positive. We are very excited about it. In four years we have accomplished the objectives and goals that we had set out to do in ten. It is an exciting time for us. We are so proud of what we have done.”

The entire board had unanimously decided to step down as an executive, so on November 17, at the fire hall, the foundation again helped out the Bentley community by dispersing funds to a number of community organizations / projects.

On the receiving end was Bentley Minor Hockey who is building a separate dressing room in the arena for female hockey players and was represented by Minor Hockey president Darren Gyori. The Bentley Municipal Library was represented by new board chairperson Sandy Jameson. The Bentley Community Chest was represented by president Janis Bickford. Bentley school athletic director Stephen Lush represented the Bentley school committee who are hosting the provincial school handball championships in April 2014. The local curling club vice-chairperson was Krista Turner. Each of the five groups was given $500.

Deputy fire chief Ian McLaren was also in attendance.

Funds remaining will be given directly to the Bentley Fire Department who Turner says are doing very well and are in really good shape right now due to the generosity of so many who have donated and to the hard work and commitment of the foundation volunteers.

In the past BFF had spearheaded such events as the Canada Day celebrations and local Christmas tree lighting program. They hope new people will take the events over.

Turner said, “We have accomplished and done so much more than we expected and are proud of what we have accomplished. It will give them (members) a chance to focus on other areas and it will give other people and groups a chance to step up.”

BFF executive were president Krista Turner, vice-president Kathi Issler, secretary Melysa Fraser, treasurer Cheryl Hueppelsheuser, director / past-president Carolyn McLaren, and directors Maureen Moore and Emily Pearson.

The bank account will be kept open so the foundation can be started up again should the need arise explained Turner, and that could happen with a move being made into a brand new fire hall scheduled for next year. However, for now the current members are taking a well-deserved rest.