Regina firefighters ‘singing poorly’ for a good cause

Regina firefighters aren’t just saving people, they’re saving Christmas.

Hydrants and Hearts, which is in its second year of existence, sees Regina Fire and Protective Services firefighters singing Christmas carols at different businesses in an effort to raise some money.

On Friday until 11 p.m., the group is to travel around the city to local businesses, restaurants and bars, singing and looking for donations.

The event is called “Caroling for the Community,” and this year, the group is working with The Rainbow Youth Centre and KidsFirst. The firefighters hope to support roughly 40 families and 47 children with food and presents for the holiday season.

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“We have 25 Regina firefighters travelling around caroling all day long, singing poorly, trying to get people to pay us to leave from their establishments, which is kind of the motto or the theme,” said Jay Ott, the chair of the organization.

“Last year with this campaign alone, while working with KidsFirst and the Rainbow Youth Centre, we actually got to travel out and meet some of the families and hand out the presents, and it meant a lot to those families and it meant a lot to us. But it needs to grow.

“KidsFirst alone has over 200 families involved in their programs. We would love one day — if that could be next year — to support the entire KidsFirst organization. There’s four sub-organizations that belong in KidsFirst, and we would love to be able to support every family with this caroling campaign.”

Regina Firefighters singing Christmas Carols for this year’s Hydrants and Hearts event! pic.twitter.com/PrZWON29oi

— Roman Hayter (@hayter_roman) December 15, 2023

After raising more than $11,000 in donations last year, the firefighters are hoping to reach their new goal of $15,000.

For a new twist this year, local businesses will be able to compete with bids to add a business to the naughty list and have the carolers give them a visit. Also, groups will be able to bid to add their own businesses to the list of stops for the carolers.

When asked if singing in front of strangers made him uncomfortable, Ott said it was embarrassing but better with a group.

“Yeah, it’s kind of embarrassing, but when you’re in a big group, it helps,” Ott said. “And people are fairly receptive to us, so that makes it a little bit easier.”

You can make a donation by visiting the Hydrants and Hearts website.