Hi everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful week. Wishing all the moms out there a very Happy Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 8, including the fur baby mommies too.
The Halfmoon Bay Branch of the Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary is holding their spring Bake and Plant Sale in Trail Bay Mall on Saturday, May 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drop by for some yummy treats and some awesome plant deals. There is no meeting this month as a special volunteer luncheon is planned on Monday, May 9. Moira shared that, “this year they are calling it ‘Not A Brown Bag Lunch.’ We usually bring our own lunch and are treated to a dessert, but this year lunch will be provided.” This annual meeting brings together all the branches on the Coast, while they enjoy lunch together and are presented with service awards. “It is a nice celebration honouring our volunteers.”
The Sargeant Bay Society are once again seeking volunteers for planting on Saturday, May 7. A second “tranche” of native plants is now available for planting around the West Sechelt burn reclamation ponds with the Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project. If you would like to help out, please contact Rand at srgntbay.soc@gmail.com. The group will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the end of the pavement at the top of Mason Road in West Sechelt.
After 31 years, Halfmoon Bay Volunteer Fire Fighter Patrick Hobbs has hung up his ‘turnout gear’ and put away his boots. Patrick joined the department in 1991 and he says, “It has been an amazing experience with an awesome group. Being included with all the other fire responders makes me very proud. There are so many people in our community, both paid and volunteer, who do such a great job to keep people safe and healthy. My personal ‘tip of the hat’ goes to the paramedics and nurses who have the toughest jobs.”
Fire Chief Ryan Daley shared that, “Pat was always a positive, supportive and proud member of the fire department. He served as a firefighter, stepped up to take the roles of Lieutenant and Captain throughout the years when the department needed him. He was voted firefighter of the year by his fellow members in 2000.” One of Patrick’s greatest achievements was the support and mentoring he would continuously offer to all the new firefighters. “I was also one of those new firefighters he mentored and encouraged and now I am the Fire Chief, so it obviously it works!” Ryan also said that, “Patrick has an uncanny way of making you feel welcome and appreciated while taking you under his wing, so he could ensure you were going to be successful. We will miss Pat and his uplifting demeanor, and I will miss responding to emergencies with my friend by my side!”
With Patrick’s good-bye he said, “It’s nice to give back and when you see how it affects people in a positive way, there is no better feeling. I am proud to step aside knowing our group of guys and gals at the Halfmoon Bay Volunteer Fire Department will continue on doing a great job and helping out where needed. Thank you for the opportunity.”
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Be safe, be gentle, and always be kind.
