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Firefighters bring Comfort and Joy to diners by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff 5 | Wednesday, June 4, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com A handful of Oakville's bravest will be serving their community tomorrow night (Thursday, June 5) -- but they'll be hanging up their fire gear and donning aprons to do so. For the third time, the Oakville Fire Department has offered up its services as an auction prize for The Darling Home for Kids' annual Comfort and Joy Gala. Located in Milton, The Darling Home provides respite services and pediatric hospice palliative care to children from across Ontario. "Oakville Professional Firefighters Association (OPFFA) members are always ready to help out in any way to support Oakville and Halton charities," said Phil Cartwright, public relations for OPFFA. The local firefighters' association also puts together a charity calendar, which fundraises for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital Foundation, Ian Anderson House Foundation and OPFFA Sponsorship Fund -- its kickoff happens to be Friday (June 6). "The guests can expect some great food served by Oakville's bravest, who will be ar- OPFFA launching 2015 calendar The Oakville Professional Firefighters Association (OPFFA) invites people to find out who will make the pages of its 2015 Charity Calendar. The kickoff for the annual fundraising initiative is set for Friday (June 6) at 8 p.m., at the OE Banquet Hall and Conference Centre, 2245 Speers Rd. The firefighters will showcase their dance moves for a chance to secure a page in the upcoming calendar, while guests will get to vote for their favourites. Each page features an Oakville firefighter with a future dog guide puppy. While the 2014 calendar remains on sale, the 2013 edition raised $61,000 for local charities. The calendar supports the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, Oakville Trafalgar Hospital Foundation, Ian Anderson House Foundation and OPFFA Sponsorship Fund. The kickoff helps to offset the costs of producing the calendar, which allows 100 per cent of every calendar sale to be donated to charity. The event will also include a raffle and auction. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased by emailing oakville_firefighters_calendar@hotmail.ca. For more information, visit www.oakvillepffa. ca/calendar2014 or search Oakville Firefighters Calendar 2013 on Facebook. riving on our old 1948 LeFrance fire truck," said Cartwright of Thursday's event. The idea was borne out of the Comfort and Joy Gala's organizing committee three years ago. It brainstormed ideas for unique auction items for the event and came up with dinner at Oakville's Fire Hall restaurant, but with the firefighters as servers. Once the committee contacted the OPFFA, Cartwright says the association was extremely supportive of the idea. Little did gala organizers know, the item would become the top prize on the bidding block -- the current auction winners, a group of 21 people, bid approximately $2,520 to secure the prize. This year's event will once again be held at The Fire Hall Cool Bar Hot Grill in Bron- te, which will also be donating the food and drinks for the evening, including wings, lemon chicken, quinoa and Greek salads, vegetable pasta and cupcakes for dessert. Once they have arrived, the off-duty firefighters will be shown around the kitchen and how to provide proper dinner service to their guests. The evening promises not only to be fun, but educational, notes Cartwright, as the firefighters will also be going over fire safety facts with their guests. Organizers for the 2014 Comfort and Joy Gala have confirmed the dinner with Oakville firefighters auction item will again be up for grabs -- the event is set for Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Burlington Convention Centre. THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO DESIGN YOUR DREAM AYA KITCHEN Same or Next Day Delivery to oakville Great big Super Sac black soil Delivery iNcluDeD Green bulk Delivery available! AYA KITCHENS OF OAKVILLE · 1195 North Service Road West AyAoakville.com · 905.847.1522 Sale in effect June 4-30/14, on selected in-stock merchandise. Most items available in all stores; selection may vary. Look for the red sale tags. See our flyer for full details! 3 Items up to on 1 truck! on a huge special selection of only $ buy 2 SacS Save $20! 1 1 9 AMERICAN EXPRESS o tto p p u u e ve av S Sa 1.866.465.8657 available in Super Sac & bulk Delivery! black Soil, Mulch, Decorative StoNe, SaND aND Gravel! + $5 refundable deposit on sac and more, off our reg. prices Spring & Summer Fashion & Basic Fabrics, Home Decor, Notions and more! MISSISSAUGA: 3015 WINSTON CHURCHILL BL. (N.W. side @ Dundas) 905-828-9966 BURLINGTON: 3515 FAIRVIEW ST. 905-639-2516 Follow us on Facebook & Twitter! www.fabricland.ca