The stories coming out of British Columbia’s fire-ravaged Interior speak of devastation, loss and fear.
While Vancouverites are not under much risk of losing everything to forest fires (although the city does have a fire ban), there are ways residents can help those whose lives, and livelihoods, are in a state of turmoil.
Help support people impacted by wild fires across British Columbia: https://t.co/WuxgvySrD6 #BCFires #BCwildfires pic.twitter.com/nkAe3Qz7YI
— Canadian Red Cross (@redcrosscanada) July 9, 2017
The Vancouver Courier is compiling a list of fundraising efforts. Please email mperkins@vancourier.com if you know of something we should add.
- B.C. Liquor Store customers can contribute at the till — in increments of $2, $5, or multiples thereof — with all proceeds going directly to the Red Cross. These funds will help with immediate needs for those affected, such as providing evacuees with shelter, food and water.
- All 80 London Drugs stores are collecting donations to support the more than 14,000 people evacuated due to the fires. In addition to accepting at-till donations for the Red Cross at all of its stores, London Drugs’ store managers in evacuee centres in Kamloops and Prince George have delivered hundreds of comfort kits to people in need and the number of people and needs continues to grow. London Drugs corporately has committed to helping evacuees’ needs and has initiated on-the-ground support with its incident response team reaching out and responding to local relief agencies' requests. Evacuees needing pharmacy support can contact London Drugs’ customer care line at 1-844-782-0051.
- Dustin Bentall, Devil in the Woodshack, Dope Folk, Great White Buffalo and Kownterpoint are performng in a BC Wildfire Benefit Concert. The Saturday, August 19 concert is presented by Soul City Music. Doors at the Rickshaw Theatre open at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Red Cat Records and Ticketfly.com.
Archived:
- This Wednesday (July 12) Vancouver TheatreSports’ show will be dedicated to raising funds for the Canadian Red Cross’ British Columbia Fires Appeal with net proceeds from the ticket sales being donated to that fund. In addition, the cast will pass the hat at all 12 performances July 11-16 to raise additional cash. All funds generated will go to the Red Cross.
- Arts on the Fly, an annual music festival in Horsefly, B.C., was cancelled because of the wildfires. A group of artists who were booked to play are holding a fundraising festival in East Vancouver on July 15. "Arts on the Fly - A Benefit Concert for Our Cariboo Neighbours" will feature Wooden Horseman, Jasper Sloan Yip, Khari Wendell McLelland, Lydia Hol, Kitty & the Rooster, Leathan Milne, Plasteroid, Cole Patenaude and Real Ponchos. Doors at the Wise Hall open at 6:30 p.m., with music from seven to late. A donation of $15 to $20 is suggested. Patronsare also encouraged to wear their festival gear and bring their lawn chairs.
- On Wednesday, July 26, all Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants in British Columbia will be donating 100 percent of fundraiser sales to Red Cross Canada to help families affected by the fires. Customers simply need to visit a participating Chipotle location and mention the British Columbia wildfires to the cashier or present a flyer (printed or on their phone) before payment.
In the meantime, please remember that Metro Vancouver is included in the area under a fire ban. The ban includes campfires, tiki torches, fireworks, firecrackers, sky lanterns, burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description. Gas, propane and briquette cooking stoves are permitted.
