Oak Bay Fire started the year with a new face at the helm of its charitable organization.
Firefighter Jason Hodge took over from Greg Swan as executive director of Oak Bay Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation.
“It’s a new challenge I look forward to,” said Hodge, who marks three years with the department next week.
The first big task was the tree chipping, which he notes has taken on some popularity as an area fundraiser. The foundation raised $3,900, a bit down from last year, in the two-day, by-donation chipping.
Bartlett Tree Experts donated equipment and time.
“All our money goes back into the community,” Hodge said. “Whatever we get we try to divvy up evenly.”
The foundation funds programs at each of the schools in Oak Bay, including bursaries for students at Oak Bay High, and has previously funded programs that benefit the community such as Oak Bay Emergency Program and Oak Bay Sea Rescue Society.
Learn more about the firefighters charitable foundation at oakbayfirefighters.com.