WESTLOCK — Not even the bitter cold and nasty wind could stop Town of Westlock Fire Department Capt. Brian Hegedus from helping local families this Christmas.
With the temperature plummeting to -28 C on Dec. 18, Hegedus spent three hours atop Tower 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 104 feet in the parking lot of Engel's Your Independent Grocer Westlock on the final day of the Firefighter In the Sky fundraiser.
And his hardwork, along with the rest of the town’s firefighters, paid off in spades this year as the fundraiser netted $5,017.50 in cash and 1,848 pounds of food that’s destined for the Westlock Food Bank and the Westlock and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Coats For Kids and Families program — the final day raised $2,779.50 in cash and 740 pounds of food.
Hegedus normally spends close to five hours up in the sky every year but had cut his time on Tower 1 short because hydraulics on the ladder truck began to freeze.
“It was a fantastic day. I appreciate all the community support and the Town of Westlock is also a huge supporter of this event,” said Hegedus.
A member of the fire department for just over 10 years, Hegedus has taken a lead role in the fundraiser since it began in 2016 — there was no event in 2020 due to the pandemic, hence it is the sixth time the firefighter has braved the elements to help those in need. It is a cause that is close to Hegedus’ heart. The annual event has collected considerable amounts in past years including $2,899 and 2,033 pounds of food in 2016, $2,501 and 2,940 pounds of food in 2017, $2606 and 2,307 in 2018, $3,981 and 4,808 pounds of food in 2019 and $3,571 and 3,558 pounds of food in 2021 for a grand total of $15,558 and 15,646 pounds of food over the past five years.
“I grew up (with) a single mother raising three kids and we struggled and times were tough and we had to use the food bank to help us get through,” said Hegedus. “I know there’s a lot of struggling families out there and this is my way of giving back to the food bank for the help they’ve given us in the past, and for the community that needs it.”
Hegedus noted the team effort from fellow firefighters who also stepped up to volunteer their time at Engel’s Your Independent Grocer and Sobeys each of the last four Sundays between Nov. 20 to Dec. 11 and pointed out that families not just in Westlock but across Alberta are struggling, “especially this year, a lot more people need it.”
“I know it’s always tough to ask for help but don’t shy away from asking for help,” said Hegedus. “If you’re struggling, if you need help, go out and find the resources you need to get the help that’s needed, whether it’s food or clothing, everybody need’s something.”
