More than $100,000 has been raised from the Red Deer Emergency Services Firefighters Children’s Charity Calendars.
More than 1,200 calendars have been sold in Red Deer and the surrounding area.
It’s the third calendar in six years and firefighter Joel Jackson couldn’t be happier with what they’ve been able to accomplish.
“It’s a really great outlet to raise a large amount of money for charity and it’s becoming more and more successful. Six years ago, I didn’t think people knew that it was going to be as successful as it has become,” said Jackson.
“With us about to reach the $100,000 mark, we are pretty proud.”
The Red Deer Library reading program and the C.A.R.E. immigrant youth program are two of the organizations that benefit from the charity.
“All the funds raised stay local. It’s very important for us to keep the charity alive and that we continue to raise money for the various programs that we assist throughout the year,” said Jackson.
Jackson said he wasn’t sure how strong the response from the community would be when they started, but everybody involved has been grateful with the response its received.
“So far it’s been great. All in all everybody seems to like the idea and we hope to see it continue in the fall,” said Jackson.
The calendar was also ranked fourth in the world by Fire Critic, an American magazine, for top firefighter calendars across the globe, ranking higher than places and departments like Vancouver, Australia, Kamloops, and Charleston, SC.
For more information or to purchase a calendar visit www.reddeerfirecalendar.com. jonathan.guignard@www.reddeeradvocate.com