New Westminster firefighters host tree chipping fundraiser
The New Westminster Firefighters’ Charitable Society will be holding its annual Christmas tree chipping event by donation at city hall on January 3 and 4 to raise funds for local community organizations. This volunteer-run event is one of several fundraisers the society holds throughout the year, including a shred-a-thon and a pumpkin smash, to support its charitable activities. In 2025, the tree chipping raised over $5,000, and the society hopes for a similar outcome this year.
All money raised by the fully volunteer-run charitable society is given back to the New Westminster community. Beneficiaries include students at New West Secondary who receive bursaries, and local organizations such as the Purpose Society, Family Place, and St. Barnabas Church. The Purpose Society offers a range of services for youth and families, including counseling, housing support, and life skills training. Family Place provides free drop-in programs and parenting workshops for families with young children. St. Barnabas Church runs a weekly grocery distribution program for community members. A portion of the funds is also given to the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund. This provincial charity, established in 1978, supports burn survivors through programs, prevention education, and by funding equipment and training at hospitals.
Firefighter charities in other municipalities will also be holding tree chipping events this weekend. Port Moody firefighters will accept trees by donation for the Burn Fund at the Inlet Centre fire hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. In Port Coquitlam, trees can be dropped off at the Broadway Street fire hall for a minimum $10 donation to their charitable society, which will also collect other recyclables like electronics and styrofoam. Coquitlam will have three separate locations for tree chipping, with donations supporting the Friends of Mundy Park Heritage Society, the Kinsmen Club of Coquitlam, and the Scouts Francophone de Maillardville.
