Eagerness to help Lytton fire victims is palpable throughout Agassiz-Harrison.
The Seabird Island and Sts’ailes communities have opened to evacuees escaping the wildfires that destroyed 90 per cent of the town of Lytton.
The First Nations communities have set up reception, meals and sleeping arrangements for Lytton evacuees. As of Thursday (July 1), the community is not accepting material donations such as clothing and toy. The First Nations communities are looking for bedding, sheets, towels, 25 fans and mosquito repellent.
“The eagerness our community is showing to help is greatly appreciated,” said a brief statement from Seabird Island social media.
Centres for evacuees have also opened in Kamloops, Kelowna, Merritt and Chilliwack.
RELATED: Here’s how you can help victims of the devastating Lytton wildfire
Stephanie H. set up a Facebook campaign for supply donations; within hours, three truck-fulls of essentials – including over 13 dozen cases of water, food, toys and bedding – were on their way to Lytton, and the donations didn’t stop there.
Donations can still be accepted until noon on Friday, July 2, at 6890 Pioneer Avenue.
The Agassiz-Harrison Museum is accepting cash donations for Lytton evacuees; cash of any amount can be dropped off at the museum. The Agassiz Royal Legion also accepted donations for evacuees.
Harrison Hot Springs mayor Leo Facio said the village has made a donation to Lytton and have written a letter to the mayor expressing heartfelt concern for the community.
For those with horses, Discovery Equine at Cheam Stables in Rosedale headed up a convoy of volunteer haulers to help stable horses in the surrounding communities. Volunteers and donors gathered grain, alfalfa, hay, bedding and other important supplies.
RELATED: Cause of growing Lytton fire under investigation, Horgan commits to rebuild
Evacuees are asked to register online at ess.gov.bc.ca or call Emergency Operations at 250-377-7188 or 1-866-377-7188 or email emergency@tnrd.ca.
How you can help
Tourism Harrison Visitor Centre is one of several centres accepting donations in the Fraser Valley; they are open July 1 to 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Donation centres are accepting the following:
– New/unused baby items, such as bottles, diapers, wipes, etc.
– New/unused bedding, such as pillows, blankets, sheets, etc.
– Gently used or new clothing items of all sizes.
– Gently used or new children’s toys.
– New/unused personal hygiene items, such as sanitizers, soaps, feminine hygiene items, face and body care items, etc.
– Gift certificates to grocery stores, pharmacies and other essential services
– Personal electronics, such as cell phones, chargers, batteries, computers, laptops, cameras, etc.
– Non-perishable food items, bottled water and juice boxes.
– Camping supplies, such as tents, sleeping bags, etc.
– Pet supplies, such as food, leashes, collars, kennels/cages, etc
Black Press Media has also assembled a list of verified GoFundMe pages, which can be found here.
– With files from Sarah Grochowski
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