Why would a bunch of firefighters from Alberton, who live about half an hour away from Abram’s Village, want to help with a fundraising project to help rebuild the Evangeline Recreation Centre?

“I guess it’s the nature of firefighters... we just feel the need to help others who are in need,” says Alberton Fire Chief Kenny Ramsay.  

Through a mutual aid call, he and the fellow Alberton firefighters had helped to fight the blaze that burned the recreation centre to the ground on April 11. They saw the devastation first-hand, both in the crumbling structure as well as in the eyes of the countless children and adults who watched helplessly as fire consumed their beloved rink.

The help the Alberton Fire Department is offering this time around is coming mainly in two forms. First of all, shortly after fire, the department confirmed that it would provide its “Which Price Is Right” games and equipment to the Evangeline community free of charge so that it could host an evening of fun and fundraising. Usually, it charges $10,000 for the rental, delivery and setup of all of its equipment, which includes 12 games, a large contestants’ row staging, the big spinning wheel and the setup for the Showcase Showdown.

Secondly, since the Alberton firefighters are used to preparing and handling the games, a dozen of them will attend the fundraising event on Oct. 9 at the Credit Union Place in Summerside to get everything organized and rolling smoothly throughout the evening. Of course, they’re volunteering their time for the entire evening. The audience won’t see them too much since they’ll be busy working backstage.

The firefighters will once again be teaming up with host Jeff Ellsworth, with whom they’ve done at least six previous shows since he was their town’s former recreation director.

“It just blows me away to see the extreme generosity of these guys,” says Gisèle Gallant, the fundraising events coordinator for Evangeline Recreation Commission. “They’re not even from our community, yet they’re providing us with all of their equipment and especially with their time and they’re not even charging us a single penny. Now that’s what you call real neighbours!”

Gallant, the recreation commission as well as the fundraising committee are extremely grateful for all the assistance, expertise and generosity being provided by the Alberton Fire Department and its firefighters.

Tickets for the event are currently on sale at a number of Island locations. Everyone is urged to get their tickets as soon as possible since organizers are expecting a sell-out crowd and wouldn’t want anyone to be disappointed. People can also avoid long line-ups if they already have their tickets.