The Burnaby firefighters’ annual pancake breakfast fundraiser pulled in more than $9,000 in cash for the CKNW Orphans’ Fund and $10,000 worth of toys for the local Christmas Bureau.
The event took place Dec. 3 at the Hilton Metrotown Vancouver. Legendary blues artist Jim Byrnes performed, while people ate pancakes, mingled with firefighters and brought donations of toys and cash. Byrnes has played at the breakfast fundraiser for four years because of his friendship with the firefighters, but also because he believes in giving back to the community.
“I’ve had my share of lumps, good luck and bad luck, and I know that this community has been very good to me, and I’ve been very blessed to be here, and I’ve had a lot of success, and I think it’s very important to share that with the community, with people who have not had some of the good breaks that I’ve had,” he said. “It’s important to give back. What we’re given, you have to give back, because the more you give, the more you get back.”
