As you are aware, the village of Lytton was devasted by wildfire, leaving many people homeless and taking refuge in nearby cities.
The initial call for help from Write to Read Team member Sue, Past President of the Rotary Club of Merritt Sunrise, set this initial Immediate Needs Initiative into motion and the Rotary BC Wildfire Relief Team – Write to Read Project BC was formed. When our Rotary Family asks for help, the answer is always – how can we serve? And in the Write to Read family it is then –let’s get’ter done!
We are continuing to request donations for the purchase of gift cards be made via the Rotary Club of Steveston-Richmond Charitable Society (RCoSRCS) as the 1000 plus evacuees from Lytton will have ongoing immediate needs while the mid- and long-term plans are put into place.
Read more for additional information and how you can help.
Background
Though Lytton is physically in D5040, the evacuees are being housed in District 5060 and 5050 club towns. We are also working with members of Honouring Indigenous Peoples (HIP) to help further connect our Rotarians and First Nations peoples, communities, and organizations also affected. Therefore, our Rotary BC Wildfire Relief Team is multi-district, and we are working together to help these evacuees and others of the now over 300 active wildfires burning in British Columbia. Several of these fires are burning in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region and the immediate needs of wildfire evacuees is growing as these fires impact more communities in D5040 and D5060. Across the impacted regions in the province there has been an increase in evacuation alerts and orders being issued, including for 100 Mile House. Rotarians across the Provinces continue to donate providing not only the things needs but also providing the care and support others need. Our hearts are with those directly impacted!
Therefore, this initial Immediate Needs Initiative’s purpose is to help address the short-term immediate needs NOT covered by other amazing donations and agencies, we are continuing to request donations for the purchase of gift cards be made via the Rotary Club of Steveston-Richmond Charitable Society (RCoSRCS) as the 1000 plus evacuees from Lytton will have ongoing immediate needs while the mid- and long-term plans are put into place. The Aurora Rotary Club of Kamloops of D5060 is also accepting donation and we are working together to leverage the donations to both streams to maximize our ability to respond to the immediate short-term needs of evacuees.
Thanks to everyone who has donated already!
Rotary Clubs, Rotarians, and family and friends across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and central Washington have responded with cash donations for wildfire evacuees.
As of July 15th,we have raised close to $30,000 collectively between donations to the RCoSRCS and Aurora and gift cards are being distributed this week to evacuees in Merritt, Lillooet, Hope, Kamloops, and Kelowna and evacuees also currently in Lower Nicola Indian Band and Siska First Nations.
We have converted these donations to gift cards. We will be partnering with EOC (Emergency Operation Centres) and ESS (emergency Service Sites) staff who will be distributing the gift cards. These staff members are on the ground and know what the needs are.
We are using gift cards because we believe this allows us to treat people with respect and as adults. Our goal is to afford them some dignity at this difficult time. We have to trust they are using them to meet their needs as they see fit. This type of agency of choice affords opportunities for dignity and providing gift cards will enable the evacuees to buy whatever necessities they deem they need themselves. This is a beautiful gift.
Donations
The Rotary Club of Steveston-Richmond Charitable Society (RCoSRCS) will continue to accept donations until mid- and long-term plans are in place for evacuees. If you would like to donate, please indicate in your e-transfer that your donation is for BC Wildfire Relief 2021. Also, tax receipts are available on request.
- E-Transfers can be made to society@stevestonrotary.ca.
- Cheques can be sent to:
Rotary Club of Steveston-Richmond Charitable Society (RCoSRCS)
12111 - 3RD AVENUE
RICHMOND, BC, V7E 3K1
Limited edition Steveston Rotary Lager
Also Limited Edition Steveston Rotary Lager is now available!! 100% of the proceeds go to the Lytton Fire Fund to help families directly affected by the wildfires. For a small $20 donation, you will receive a 6 pack of this tasty lager. Contact sean@stevestonrotary.ca to place your order!