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The Citizen, 2018-03-15, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018. PAGE 9. Optimist auction raises $30K for Steffler Foundation •reate a culture of change in ..t Health, Addiction & Wellness ices for Huron County youth age 4'-24 and their families." .sner) ceffler FOUNDATION ®c}ablished in ..tier after losing antal Health and ise Disorder. Going... GONE! The Brussels Optimist Club held its annual spring dinner and auction on Saturday night at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre and, while the final numbers have yet to be tallied, it stands to be one of the club's most successful events of the last 20 years. Doug McArter of the club says that over $30,000 was raised that night for the Tanner Steffler Foundation, which strives to tackle the issues of youth mental health and addiction in Huron County and beyond. Auctioneer Kevin McArter, left, put his talents to good use that night with the help of Optimist Tyler Deitner. (Hannah Dickie photo) While a final total has yet to be reached, the Brussels Optimist Club estimates that over $30,000 was raised for the Tanner Steffler Foundation on Saturday night. The Optimists chose the locally - developed charity as the subject of the club's 19th annual spring dinner and auction not only for its noble goal, but for its local connections. Doug McArter, a long-time member of the club, said that the New regulations coming soon Continued from page 1 get many new young people interested, pay to certify them, then they apply and receive a job in a full- time station." Bedard said he was in favour of community risk assessments because they would increase the safety of firefighters, as well as residents. However, he did say they would be time-consuming if he had to do all of the inspections himself. The assessment cycle would run every five years and it would focus on key profiles in the community, including demographics, geography, past fire loss and event history, critical infrastructure and a building stock profile within the community. The third change would aim to increase public reporting and improve fire department response times. "This proposed new regulation is intended to increase transparency and accountability by requiring all fire departments to report to the Ontario Fire Marshal's office on a number of standard response times," Bedard said in his report. "Through the proposed regulation, the Ontario Fire Marshal would provide fire departments with calculated response time data, unless fire departments choose to conduct their own calculations. Every year, the Ontario Fire Marshal would be responsible for making these response times public on its website. Fire Departments would be required to submit this information to their local municipal council within six months after receiving their calculation. Before it is submitted to the Fire Marshal, the fire department will be required to give the public report to their council." Bedard is expected to report back to council on the regulations at council's March 20 meeting. Down to business Illusionist Lucas Wilson and his assistant Kelly DeFilla were in Wingham on Saturday for a pair of shows thanks to the Wingham Knights of Columbus. They played to a standing room -only crowd of young people and their parents in the afternoon, ahead of an adults -only crowd later that night. Here, Wilson demonstrates the skill that has landed him in the Guinness Book of World Records four times as the fastest man to ever escape a straight jacket under various circumstances. (Hannah Dickie photo) dinner raised easily over $30,000 for the cause, which makes it one of the most successful dinners in the club's history. Several years ago the club chose the Ronald McDonald House as its charity and raised over $35,000, the most successful spring dinner and auction in the club's history. McArter said that this year's event has a chance to be nearly as successful. "It was an awesome night," McArter said. One of the highlights, he said, was to hear from John and Heather Steffler, the guest speakers for the night. They spoke about their late son Tanner and his battle with addiction that led to his death last year. They also touched on what they hope the foundation will do for young people in Huron County facing problems with mental health and addition who need services that aren't available to them. McArter said that having a speech like that, especially from a family with such firm ties to the community, really helped to drive donations to the foundation during the live auction. In addition, McArter said that, surprisingly, this was the first year that the club sold out its dinner, despite successful years in the past. He said that club members were receiving calls for tickets the morning of the dinner. Luckily, they were able to connect some people looking for tickets with others who had tickets, but weren't able to make it to Brussels that night. For more information on the Tanner Steffler Foundation and its goal, visit its website online at tannerstefflerfoundation.com ry .11 ShiShore HOLIDAYS Carolyn, Jeff and Kendra are pleased to announce the opening of their New Office Saturday, March 24' 263 Josephine St., Wingham (old Maclntyre Bakery) 519-357-2228 888-667-3545 email: ship2shore@wightman.ca TICO # 50013932 Rediscover what Huron County has to offer. Pick up your free guide to Stops Along The Way and see what's happening in your area! A Visitor's Guide to Huron County What to See Where to Dine Things to Do Museums Snowmobile Trails Map Available at many local tourist spots throughout Huron County or pick it up at The Citizen 413 Queen St, Blyth . 519-523-4792