Proceeds from a firewood sale are going to benefit Powell River Action Centre Food Bank and Powell River Fire Rescue’s charitable endeavours.
After a property was cleared at Joyce Avenue and Duncan Street, owners Dave Formosa and Robert Villani contacted Powell River Brain Injury Society executive director Debbie Dee and indicated they would like to donate the downed trees as firewood to the food bank. Dee also recommended the Powell River firefighters, who could cut the wood.
Dee said once the benefactors and workers were identified, she put an advertisement on Facebook for firewood for sale.
“Right away, it pretty much sold out,” said Dee. “I think it took the firefighters three days to cut it all up and clean the property up and deliver all of the firewood.”
Dee said there were three tree businesses: Welper’s Tree Service, Twisted Twig Tree Service and Bottom’s Up Tree Services, who donated their trucks and time, and took the cash collected for deliveries and donated it back to the charitable fund.
“It was a great effort and a good community project,” said Dee. “We were very grateful to the property owners. They didn’t have the time and wherewithal to cut a bunch of firewood and the trees weren’t all that good for lumber. So, they donated the firewood.
“It was kind of an out of the blue thing and it just fell into place perfectly. It’s nice when you get the community together and it works out so well.”
The firefighters have indicated their share of the proceeds is going to the Powell River Professional Firefighters Charitable Society, which provides a food program for multiple schools in the community. Money could also be used for special requests for aid or assistance for someone in need.
The food bank will use its portion to stock its shelves.
