The Wellington North Fire Service detachment here handed out baseball-related gifts to Victoria Cross Public School Grade 2 students as the force launched its “Swing into Summer Safety” campaign on June 11.
The students received t-shirts, drinking tumblers and Blue Jays baseball cards at the campaign launch, which province-wide is supported by the Toronto Blue Jays organization.
Student Ethan Petty won a set of four, field level regular game tickets and four official team caps.
“It allows him to take his family to a game,” said Jason Benn, fire prevention and public education officer.
The Blue Jays have teamed up with fire services across the province for the campaign and its top prize.
Of the province’s 450 fire departments, 201 applied to take part in the official kick-off event, with five being chosen, including the Wellington North Fire Service.
Acting fire chief Dave Guilbault said he was proud of the recognition and participation of his force.
“Big cities like Toronto participated and we beat them and this is Wellington North,” he told the Grade 2 students, firefighters and councillors at the event.
Benn said teacher Melody Elvidge’s Grade 2 class was chosen to help in the kick-off because of Elvidge’s involvement in fire prevention at the elementary school.
In 2011 Elvidge was the recipient of a fire safety award.
Future events will be shared by other schools in Wellington North Township.
Benn acknowledged the Blue Jays’ participation in the event is a boost for fire and accident prevention efforts across the province.
Student Aden Geiger won full firefighter gear in a separate draw at the ceremony, which was linked to fire safety day at the Blue Jays game that day.
