Fire departments across the Oceanside region will collect cash donations this weekend (Nov. 13-14). There will be no door-to-door collection due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some departments will accept donations at their halls on Nov. 20 and 21.
Bow Horn Bay Fire Department will accept curbside cash and food donations at the Bow Horn Bay firehall (220 Lions Way) on Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact is Fire Chief Clayton Bucoviz (250-757-9433; bhbfire@shaw.ca).
Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department will collect cash donations on Nov. 13 and 14 at locations in Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Contact is Acting Lieutenant Kevin Fuson (250-752-2144; coombsdata@shaw.ca).
Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department – The Dashwood firehall (230 Hobbs Road) and Meadowood firehall (1800 Galvin Place) will accept curbside food and cash donations on Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact is Fire Chief Nick Acciavatti (250-752-5434; firechief@dashwoodvfd.com).
Deep Bay Fire Department will accept food and cash donations at the Deep Bay firehall (5031 Mountainview Road) on Nov. 20 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Contact is Chief George Lenz (250-757-2030; deepbayfire@dbid.ca).
Errington Fire Department will collect cash and food donations at the Co-op Gas Bar on the corner of Church Road and Alberni Highway on Nov. 14 and Nov. 21, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Contact is Fire Chief Troy Bater (250-248-5601; chief@evfd.ca)
Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department will be at Springford Farms and Nanoose Quality Foods to collect cash donations on Nov. 13 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Residents may also purchase Quality Foods gift cards from the Quality Foods in Nanoose rather than a cash donation. Donations will go to the Nanoose Community Cupboard to assist Nanoose residents in need.
Contact is Training Officer Denis Holme (250-468-7141; nanoosevfdtrainingofficer@shaw.ca)
Parksville Volunteer Fire Department will be at set locations in the city on Nov. 13 and 14, accepting cash donations to support the Salvation Army. Parksville Fire will also accept donations of new unwrapped toys for the Society of Organized Services (SOS). Contact is Captain Mark Adelborg (250-248-3242; firedept@parksville.ca)
Qualicum Beach Fire Department will accept cash donations at the firehall (130 Rupert Road East), outside Qualicum Foods (705 Memorial Avenue) and at the Qualicum Beach BC Liquor Store (706 Primrose Street) on Nov. 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact is Deputy Fire Chief Friso McKenzie (250-752-6232; fmckenzie@qualicumbeach.com)
SOS will also accept donations for the Christmas program. Financial donations can be made online, in-person or by phone (250-248-2093), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. New unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville.
After Nov. 17, toys, gifts and gift cards for children and youth can be dropped off at the SOS Christmas tent located outside the Parksville SOS Community Services Centre (245 West Hirst Avenue on the McMillan Street side of the building) every Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Parksville Salvation Army food bank donations are accepted at 886 Wembley Road, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The first food drive was held in 1997 and now includes eight departments in District 69: Bow Horn Bay Fire Department, Coombs Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department, Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department, Deep Bay Fire and Rescue, Errington Volunteer Fire Department, Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department, Parksville Volunteer Fire Department and Qualicum Beach Fire Department.
