Local Fall Fest raises money for the Schenectady Firefighters Cancer Foundation

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Over 50 crafters and vendors, a selection of food vendors, Back Barn Brewery, and Capital Car Shows participated in the 17th annual fall fest at the Maple Ski Ridge on Saturday.

Activities include: a craft fair, a car show, lawn games, a bounce houses for kids, hay rides, a small engine display, a tractor show, pumpkin painting, food, beer and wine, a silent auction, and a 50/50 raffle. The fest took place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2725 Mariaville Road in Schenectady.

Proceeds from the silent auction and the 50/50 went to support a local community charity, and this year's recipient was the Schenectady Firefighters Cancer Foundation, which supports Schenectady Firefighters with cancer, prevention education, cancer screenings, and support in the event of diagnosis.

Kirsten Ford, the Marketing Director at Maple Ski Ridge, said they are recognizing their close tie to Schenectady firefighters that many people are not aware of.

"We have quite a number of their members on staff with us as ski patrollers, ski patrollers are volunteers, they don't get paid.," Ford said. "So we wanted to do something to give back to them for all the work they do here."

Matt March, the Assistant Director of the Schenectady Firefighters Cancer Foundation, said support from the event makes a big difference for helping care for firefighters in need.

"All of the benefits and proceeds from the silent auction and the 50/50 are going directly to the Schenectady Firefighters Cancer Foundation," March said. "That money in turn is going to help us with preventative cancer screenings as well as new equipment to help prevent cancer and the money will go to firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer."

March noted the risks of being a firefighter and is thankful for the acknowledgement from Maple Ski Ridge.

"Firefighters are much more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than the average person," March said. "Depending on the type of cancer, it is 115% more likely to be diagnosed with the cancer. We have had a lot of prostate cancer diagnoses, brain cancers, and esophageal cancer."

Organizers plan to select a different local organization to support next year. More information regarding the Schenectady Firefighters Cancer Foundation can be found on their website.