The Grimsby Fire Department recently purchased a Polar 75 water rescue craft thanks to $5,000 of donations from tracksidepools.com. Donning suits, at front, are firefighers Vince Giovannini and Matt Leach. At back, are Trevor Sainsbury of Boston Pizza in Welland, Dave Winckler of tracksidepools.com and Deputy Fire Chief Mike Cain.

It took about two years to do, but with the support of the community, a local NASCAR pool website operator has helped the Grimsby Fire Department purchase a new water rescue craft.

Last Thursday, Dave Winckler of tracksidepools.com presented the final portion of a $5,000 commitment to enable the fire department to purchase a Polar 75 watercraft, which will be used for ice and water rescues. Winckler said it was gratifying to see the craft when presenting the funds to the department.

"Words could not even describe how I felt when they suited up and got on the Polar 75, (it was) unbelievable," said Winckler.

Winckler stresses it was more than just his work that helped reach the goal. Much of the funds were raised through fundraising parties and raffles based out of Boston Pizza locations in Grimsby and Welland.

"The key (to reaching the goal) was everyone who came out locally to the parties and bought tickets even if they didn't live in town," he said. "This could not have been done without the help of every person who ever bought a ticket and the businesses that donated gift as giveaways."

Local supporters, he said, included Boston Pizza, Pneuair Compressors, Melissa Try Photography, Battlefield Advertising, Bright Safety Group, Mark Wilson of Discovery Ford and ATS Reliance in Burlington. Support from the racing community included Cayuga Speedway, Cayuga Motorsports, as well as donations from driver JJ Yeley, Jimmie Johnson Foundation, Jamie McMurray Foundation, Regan Smith, Ryan Newman and AJ Allmendinger.

The idea to purchase the Polar 75 came a couple of years ago, after Fire Chief Chris Halliday told Winckler about an incident where a father and son had to be rescued from icy Lake Ontario. Halliday says Winckler's contribution has been "nothing short of outstanding."

"It is organizations like Dave's that continue to support Grimsby Fire by providing the Polar 75 Water Rescue Craft," said Chief Halliday. "This tool allows the firefighters to conduct a water and ice rescue quickly, efficiently, and safely."

Halliday said he wished to offer "a sincere thank you to Dave Winckler and Boston Pizza for their fundraising efforts and their support of Grimsby Fire Department."

Winckler said he would "do this again in a heartbeat".

"The first time the Polar 75 goes in the water under emergency circumstances, and I read about it, that will be the best thing I'll be proud of," said Winckler.

Winckler will continue to hold his fundraiser parties, but is now shifting his focus on the Ride to Conquer Cancer, a two-day cycling event from Niagara Falls to Toronto which takes place next spring.

"I've lost three people in my family to cancer and the team that I'm riding with are mostly my co-workers," he said. "Last year I got a glimpse at helping out, and to see them complete the over 200 kilometres in just two days was truly a very special moment for me."

The next event is set for Saturday, Oct. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at Boston Pizza in Welland. For more information, or tickets, visit tracksidepools.com.