Over $900,000 was raised at the second annual Delta Mayor’s Charity Ball to help ensure no local kids go hungry at school.
On Saturday (May 3), 250 guests gathered at Cascades Casino Delta in a show of community spirit and generosity in support of the Delta Firefighters Charitable Society Healthy Snack Program.
Presented by Realco Properties, the evening began with guests mingling and connecting at an elegant cocktail hour hosted at Match Eatery & Public House.
In the event space upstairs, emcee Fiona Forbes opened the formal program with a moment of silence in honour of the lives lost during the attack on the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver on April 26.
In a gesture of support, the Delta Firefighters Charitable Society committed all 50/50 proceeds from the evening to Filipino BC to help those affected by the tragedy.
A stirring entrance by the Delta Firefighters Honour Guard set the tone for the evening, followed by warm welcomes and acknowledgements of dignitaries including Tsawwassen First Nation executive council member Bryce Williams and Delta Mayor George Harvie, both of whom spoke passionately about building a healthier future for local children.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came as fire fighters Joel Woznikoski and Warren Balzer spoke to the urgent need to ensure no child in Delta goes to school hungry.
The Healthy Snack Program was launched in March of 2021 at six North Delta schools to address food security issues made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, it has grown to support students at 39 elementary and secondary schools and special programs.
Each month, off-duty Delta firefighters provide schools with food to feed kids in need during the day so they have the nutrition needed to learn, grow and be healthy. The snacks are available to students in a no-barrier setting, allowing them to grab something whenever they feel hungry.
The number of students using the program has increased sharply each year — rising from 900 in 2021-2022 to 2,000-plus this school year.
The program is entirely volunteer-run, and the bulk of its funding comes directly from Delta firefighters themselves via a payroll deduction program, wherein the department’s members donate money every paycheque to support charitable initiatives.
At Saturday’s gala, Delta Firefighters Charitable Society pledged $200,000 over five years to bolster the Healthy Snack Program.
"Our members’ commitment through the payroll deduction program speaks volumes about their dedication to Delta’s kids," Delta Firefighters Association secretary Cole McQueen said in a press release.
"This isn’t just funding; it’s a promise from every firefighter here to stand behind these students and ensure they have the nourishment they need to thrive."
The Delta School District further committed $150,000 received through the Feeding Futures grant, underscoring the community’s dedication to fighting child hunger.
Guests responded generously during the live auction and “Fund the Need” (both expertly led by Howard Blank), helping launch a new endowment fund to support long-term food security for Delta students.
"This endowment fund is a game-changer," Delta Firefighters Charitable Society treasurer Eric Wilson said in a press release. "It means we’re not just addressing hunger today, we’re building a legacy that will sustain this program for generations. Students in Delta will always have a safety net, and that’s the kind of long-term impact our community deserves."
The evening wrapped with a high-energy performance by Warren Dean Flandez, the Confidence Academy Orchestra, TLVC and the Top Line Tsawwassen Community Choir.
Delta Firefighters Charitable Society accepts donations in support of the Healthy Snack Program at deltafirefighters.com/delta-firefighters-healthy-snack-program.
