2009 Press Release

MESACHIE LAKE, BC – Join the Mesachie Group fire fighters on June 18-21 as they host their 30th Annual Ball Tournament and Auction in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

Fire fighters from the Mesachie Lake area are gearing up for their annual fundraiser to help fight the battle against muscular dystrophy—a group of over 100 types of neuromuscular disorders characterized by the wasting and progressive weakness of muscles. Some are life-threatening, and presently, there is no cure. The money raised will be donated to Muscular Dystrophy Canada to improve the quality of life for people living with neuromuscular disorders by purchasing mobility equipment, providing support services, and funding research, which will one day lead to a cure.

The Mesachie Group fundraising weekend kicks off Thursday, June 18 with a 30-km walk to create public awareness. Representatives from the 8 local fire departments involved in the ball tournament will walk 30km in full turn-out gear and air packs. The walk will commence at 6:00 am leaving the Mill Bay center and hopes to arrive at the Mesachie Lake ball field around 5:00 pm. The walk will be in a relay format with all of the departments involved.

The signature “Fireman’s Boot” in extra large size will be placed in the back of one of the emergency vehicles used for donations, along with the red puzzle pieces attached to the trucks symbolizing the connection to an ultimate cure for Muscular Dystrophy and will be draped on the backstop at the ball field for the weekend’s event.

On Friday, June 19, the ball tournament begins with the first game at 5:30 pm at the Mesachie Lake ball field, followed by entertainment in the evening. The tournament continues on Saturday morning with 3 more games.

To help make this year that much more memorable there will be an opening ceremonies Saturday morning after the 3rd ball. This will include a representative from each participating hall in dress uniform, some special guests representing Muscular Dystrophy Canada, bag pipes, and a local artist to sing the national anthem.

The auction hosted by the always entertaining Youbou firefighter/auctioneer Jeff Abbott begins around 1pm. This is where most of the funds raised over the weekend which has seen more than $40,000.00 raised in it’s 3 - 4 hour duration.
The fundraising event wraps up with the final ball games on Sunday, followed by a presentation of trophies and awards.

Originally organized in 1979 by the Mesachie Lake volunteer fire department, the first tournament was held to raise funds for an upgrade to the local fire hall. Participants enjoyed themselves so much that the tournament became an annual tradition. In the early 1980’s, the fire department adopted Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) as the event’s official charity because of MDC’s historic association with fire fighters across Canada.

Soon after, the tournament took a significant turn. Two local fire fighters, Nick Sohye and Doug Robertson, and their families were told both their sons were diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. This brought their fundraising efforts closer to home. “When we found out about our son, Adam, and Doug and Debbie’s son, Grady, participating halls adopted the boys as their own and the tourney took on a whole new meaning,” recalls Sherry Sohye. “Everyone has since been committed to raising money to fight muscular dystrophy, and as some of us have gotten older, new members have banded together to keep the cause alive.”

Now entering its 30th year, the Mesachie Group Fire Fighters Ball Tournament and Auction attracts more than 78 players representing eight fire departments: Mesachie Lake, Honeymoon Bay, Caycuse, Lake Cowichan, Youbou, Duncan, Cowichan Bay, and Langford. The tournament and auction raised over $46,000 last year, and to date, the Mesachie Group has raised over half a million dollars in donations.

So, come out and make this year’s event their biggest one ever, or make a tax deductible pledge made payable to “The Mesachie Group”

and returned to the Cowichan Bay Fire Department at:

4461 Trans-Canada Highway

Cowichan Bay, BC

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