Safety initiative brings gift to front-line care workers

Workers at Mosaic Forest Management have turned a safety initiative into an opportunity to give back to frontline health-care workers in the community.

Every year, as part of the company’s safety program, crews remove dangerous trees along their road network. This year, the Northwest Bay Crew cut and split more than 60 cords of firewood — and made it available for free for frontline health-care workers to show appreciation for their work through the COVID-19 crisis.

“It’s an honour to help out those frontline health-care workers, many of whom work in long-term care homes and hospitals, who are putting themselves on the line for us right now,” said Mark Slocum, camp chairman for United Steelworkers Local 1-1937 for Northwest Bay and one of the Mosaic employees who led the firewood donation program.

The Tool Shed provided the wood splitter for the crew to cut the wood.

Online registration for the firewood was fully subscribed within 24 hours. While some of the wood was picked up onsite, the rest was delivered directly to the homes of health-care workers who were unable to pick it up in person.

“We want to thank Mosaic for their generous donation to HEU members. Health-care workers appreciate all of the recognition and support during this pandemic,” said Barb Nederpel, president of the Hospital Employees’ Union.

Mosaic also has an annual firewood permit program, where members of the public are able to purchase a permit to cut firewood on Mosaic lands. In 2020, proceeds from that program were donated to KidSport B.C., generating a $20,000 donation through a funding match from Mosaic. The firewood permit is expected to resume in the fall.