The scent of Christmas will soon fill the air around Canada Games Pool.
The New Westminster Firefighters’ Charitable Society is holding its annual tree-chipping event on Saturday, Jan. 4 and Sunday, Jan. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Canada Games Pool parking lot. Firefighters will chip trees and recycle them for a donation to the society, which donates funds to a wide range of projects in the community.
Residents are invited to bring their Christmas trees in for chipping, and stay awhile and enjoy some of the activities organized by local firefighters.
“We make it an event that people can come and stay at for awhile,” said firefighter Trevor Tougas, vice president of the New Westminster Firefighters’ Charitable Society. “We have a barbecue, we have live music from the youth performers.”
At each day’s event, firefighters will offer a couple of fire extinguisher demonstrations to show people how quickly a dried out Christmas tree goes up in flames.
Tim Horton’s will be on site providing hot chocolate and coffee to community members, and popcorn and face painting will also be available.
“It’s a nice family event people can come to,” Tougas said.
The New Westminster Firefighters’ Charitable Society raises funds for a variety of local programs including the pediatric ward at Royal Columbian Hospital, the Union Gospel Mission and food programs at local schools. The tree chipping is free, but donations will be accepted for the charitable society.
New Westminster Scouts are once again having a bottle drive at the same time. Residents are invited to bring recyclable bottles and cans, which helps raise funds for Scouts Canada activities in New Westminster.
