September 27, 2012 Volume 11 • Number 39 50¢ Newsstand Price
INSIDe
downtown
World Rivers Day in River City – page 2
SCARECROW CONTEST
October 3 www.kcbia.com 250-372-3242
also
Jiffy Lube appreciates you – page 5 your neighboUrhood. your newspaper.
Somebody call 911! The city is burning up! Yes, it is that time of year again. It’s the time when the women (and a few men) of Kamloops flock in groups with one burning desire: To pick up the new Kamloops Firefighters Calendar! The anticipation is over and the 2013 gem can now be in your hot little hands by the end of the day. This is year number three for the charity and it has proven itself to be one of Kamloops most popular fundraisers. This year’s recipients are the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation Fund and a charity that is very close to the firefighters hearts, the BC Professional Firefighters Burn Fund. This incredible, province wide charity helps the victims of fire and their families with support and life enriching services. Local firefighter, Ryan Cail is a long time volunteer of the Burn Fund. “More than 3800 professional firefighters dedicate and donate their time and skills to support burn survivors and create public awareness on fire prevention.” Says Ryan. What is most impressive about this charity is the fact that not a single position is paid. It is 100 percent volunteer based. Last year, the 2012 calendar raised $40,000 that was split equally between the two charities. This year,
Mike Haines, Tyler Smid, Ryan Cail, Shawn Davidson and Clayton Smith are some of the heroic volunteer firefighters who performed the extra brave act of posing in partial uniform for the 2013 Kamloops Firefighters calendar.
the Kamloops Firefighter’s have printed 2500 calendars. If they sell out, like they usually do, they will raise $50,000! “Every single dollar raised goes directly to the charities,” says Ryan. The calendar is completely paid for by the generosity of local sponsors. So what can we expect from this years work? Exactly what we have all come to know and love. A handful of Kamloops finest getting out of their comfort zone
(and shirts), to strut their stuff for a great cause. There are a handful of new faces this year to grace the glossy pages, but some of the past calendar favourites as well. When asked the obvious question, “Why do you think this calendar is so popular?” Ryan replies with a smile, but in all modesty, “We always try to have something that can go on grandma’s wall as well as have enough sex appeal to entice all. It’s something that
looks decent to the eye but is for a great cause.” No argument here. Your 2013 Kamloops Firefighters Calendar can be picked up at Fire Hall Number 1, 1205 Summit Drive, or go to www.kamloopsfirefighters.ca for a list of events and appearances where you can not only buy your calendars, but get some of your favourites to get out their Sharpie and sign it for you. Or for grandma. Cristina Ostapovitch, freelance