A cause worth fighting for

Vancouver Firefighter Charities is made up of 900 firefighters who provide essential emergency response services while also volunteering off-duty to support vulnerable communities. VFC’s firefighters founded and personally subsidize four community-based programs: Snacks for Kids, Sports for Kids, Toys for Kids, and Lifelines for Seniors. 

Along with its own initiatives, VFC also supports many other organizations throughout the Lower Mainland to make a lasting impact, including the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, VGH+UBC Hospital Foundation, BC Cancer Research, and many more.

Supporting VFC means standing with those who serve and uplift Vancouver.

Meet the Executive Team

  • Teena Gupta

    CO-CHAIR & FUNDRAISING LEAD

  • Brandon Davies

    CO-CHAIR, VFC DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING

  • ERIC HIMMELMAN

    VICE-CHAIR, TREASURER

  • Matt Ostafiew

    VICE-CHAIR, LOGISTICS & COMMUNICATIONS

  • RHOGENE DADASHZADEH

    VICE-CHAIR, MARKETING

  • Brandon Kaye

    DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING

  • BRIANA JAMES

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

  • CARLY PRUGER

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

Our Impact

fueling young minds

Snacks for kids

In Vancouver, 1 in 5 kids faces hunger at school. Snacks for Kids, a partnership between VFC and the Vancouver School Board, delivers nutritious snacks to 10,000 students in need. Off-duty firefighters volunteer to source and distribute food, ensuring kids can focus on learning—not hunger.

ENSURING THE WELL-BEING OF OUR SENIORS

LIFELINES FOR SENIORs

Lifelines For Seniors provides lifesaving medical alert systems for older adults in our community. By partnering with the UBC Hospital’s Short Term Assessment and Treatment Centre, Lifelines For Seniors can serve as the final crucial step in getting a patient home and restoring their independence. Off-duty Vancouver firefighters are the heartbeat of this program, installing the hardware in the seniors’ homes, which ensures 24/7 access to emergency medical services and giving their families peace of mind.

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS

SPORTS FOR KIDS

Sports For Kids is committed to breaking down barriers that prevent children in our community from participating in sports. By collaborating with local organizations in Vancouver, VFC strives to create inclusive recreation opportunities for children with physical and cognitive differences, as well as those facing financial hardships. The VFC is dedicated to helping all kids in our community get active, reach their goals, and build lasting social connections.

DELIVERING JOY

TOYS FOR KIDS

The impacts of the cost of living crisis affecting families in Vancouver are magnified over the holiday season, making it difficult for parents to balance competing financial demands. As a result, many simply cannot afford to give their children gifts. This strain takes a toll on the mental well-being of families in our community, adding pressure at an already difficult time of year. Toys For Kids aims to ease this burden by providing gifts and sporting equipment to families in need, ensuring every child experiences the magic of the holidays and reminding parents that Vancouver Firefighters are here to support them.  

spark change with the VFC

Donate Today

Vancouver Firefighter Charities operates all of its programs without government funding, relying entirely on corporate and private donations, along with voluntary payroll contributions from Vancouver’s firefighters. With your support, we can continue making a difference. We invite you to join our mission and help strengthen our programming by making a donation.