Firefighters Annual Pancake Breakfast July 29 Was a True Community Affair

Firefighters’ Annual Pancake Breakfast July 29 was a True Community Affair

Mississippi Mills Fire Service invited the community to Station 1 in Almonte Saturday, July 29 for its 39th Annual Pancake breakfast and the firefighters were thrilled with the response.

More than 700 hungry people had been served by 10:30 a.m., bringing a smile to the face of organizer Bevan Chartrand and his army of cooks and servers. This was the fourth year that Bevan has rallied the troops for this massive undertaking.

Firefighters, their family members, partners and friends had things rolling by 7 a.m. and worked extremely hard until 11 a.m. preparing pancakes, sausages and toast. Volunteers like musician Bernie Costello marked his 39th straight year at the breakfast, tapping away on the keyboard of his organ.

Proceeds from the breakfast were earmarked for the $4-million Quality Care for Life Campaign to raise funds for the Almonte General Hospital~Fairview Manor (AGH~FVM) Redevelopment Project.

It was a great pleasure to see familiar faces from the Hospital and Manor, including Dr. Frank Murphy, Registered Nurse Joan Southwell, staffer Don Sadler and his family and others. AGH~FVM Foundation chair Andy Brown and Board Member Don Stewart also attended and brought members of their families.

Hospital and Manor supporters Jack and Florence Virgin were out enjoying the breakfast and seeing friends, as were Paul Finner and Reg Gamble. The weather was fabulous and the atmosphere in the firehall was even better.

Firefighter Steve Lowry summed things up perfectly when, between pancake flips, he said, “We are here for the community and what is more important to our community than the Hospital”.

Fire trucks were on display, much to the delight of the children. There was a play area in the hall where children rode little cars and trucks while others painted a mural of modern art.

Typical of Almonte and Mississippi Mills events, there were lots of smiles, good food and good friendship.

The Foundation continues to be pleased with the tremendous support from individual donors, families, businesses and groups like the firefighters. We are approaching $2.3 million of our $4 million goal.

Your gifts from the heart will make a real difference in the future of healthcare in the community.

To discuss your pledge to the AGH~FVM Foundation call Gerry Huddleston at 256-2514 ext. 2297 or Shelley Montreuil at ext. 2296.