The work of firefighters during a harrowing wildfire in the RM of Piney has left the Woodridge community, and beyond, incredibly thankful.
To show their appreciation, the Woodridge Community Club will be hosting its annual car show on May 24, but dedicating most of the funds raised to the local fire department.
"We are switching it up a little bit because we just feel so indebted to the firefighters," says Cheryl Wilson-Janz, a board member of the community club.
She says the car show this year is perhaps the most important its ever been.
"It is a celebration where our community can come together and we can show our appreciation for firefighters. We can just kind of visit with everybody and marvel in the fact that we are still here," she says.
Those who want to make a direct donation to the fire hall can make cheques payable to the RM of Piney, and mark down the memo as "Woodridge Fire Department - Wildland protection equipment."
Wilson-Janz says donations of more than $25 to the hall will earn a tax receipt.
"We're hoping that people will open up their wallets a little bit and show their appreciation to the firefighters by donating financially so that we can get some equipment," she says.
The Woodridge resident notes the car show will be bustling with energy, and include a tailgate swap meet, a barbeque lunch, a beer garden, DJ, live band, silent auction and 50/50 draw.
Originally, it was advertised that the fire department was going to do a jaws of life demonstration, but given their recent efforts with the wildfire, that may not happen.
"We do have a fantastic grand prize that was donated to us by the lovely guys at Stone Bridge Auto and at the Detail Glass Company," Wilson-Janz says. "They have donated a kids ride-on, two-seater, electric CAN-AM buggy, 24 volt, four-wheel drive with remote control."
The car show will be between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the M.A. Querel Community Park and Woodridge Community Club.
Written with files from Corny Rempel