Praising the community
North River Fire Department and Kingston Legion showcase upgrades from Chase the Ace proceeds
A new fire engine at the North River Fire Department (NRFD) is paying tribute to the greater community that helped purchase it.
Arriving at the station three weeks ago, the nearly $550,000 fire engine features a larger water pump and more tank capacity than its predecessor as well as a number of new safety features.
While it may be a smaller detail, some decals on the side of the engine will stand out most to residents.
Those are two flaming ace of spades cards, a gesture thanking those who participated in the successful Chase the Ace draw hosted by the Kingston Legion and NRFD last year.
“The community paid for it, it’s all because of the ace of spades, so we thought it would be a nice touch,” said fire chief Anson Grant during a community barbecue at the legion on Saturday.
“It’s just to let everybody know their money went to a good cause.”
Hundreds visited the barbecue on Saturday, which was a way to thank the community while also showcasing what the proceeds went towards.
Both the legion and NRFD saw profits of about $743,000 from the draw, which ended with Charlottetown resident Mike May winning the $1,053,340 jackpot last July.
The public also saw a revamped legion on Saturday.
The building has seen work to the septic tank, a repaved parking lot and new roof over part of the building, as well as new signage and stairs outside.
Inside, all the floors were replaced, while a new ceiling, heat pumps and sound system were also installed along with new furniture and a renovated bar.
“We did a pretty extensive makeover,” said legion president Alan Crane.
More importantly, the lottery has allowed the legion to be financially viable into the future.
“Our mandate now is not fundraising, our mandate now is to do the things legion members are supposed to do. Supporting our veterans, supporting the community and our youth,” said Crane, adding
that the legion has also donated funds to all eight schools in the area as well as the No. 107 Army Cadet Corps, P.E.I. Command of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Last Post Fund.
“Those are the things that unfortunately most legion members don’t have a heck of a lot of time for because, for the most part, we’re too busy fundraising trying to keep the doors open.”
Both Crane and Grant
described the lottery as a great community effort requiring a number of volunteers.
As it kept growing, the lottery required an increasing amount of behind-the-scenes work, which became a full-time effort for many firefighters and legion members.
Since the lottery ended last July, Crane said not a week has gone by where he hasn’t been asked if Chase the Ace will return to the legion.
Crane said while he would “never say never,” it’s not on the radar anytime soon.
“It’s a lot of work and we have a very small volunteer base,” said Crane.
“If the fire department decides at some point to start it up again, I’d certainly volunteer to help them but I think we’ve drained our volunteers.”