As wildfires continue to destroy property and force residents from their homes in Rock Creek and Oliver, BC Liquor Store customers can now support Red Cross relief efforts for fire victims by donating in stores throughout the province.
To help those impacted by wildfires, the Red Cross asked BC Liquor Stores to join their relief efforts.
This includes providing evacuees with immediate needs such as blankets, food and water, reuniting residents with family members, and assisting with longer-term needs such as replacing equipment to return to work and helping with rent.
Customers can make donations of $2 or $5 - or multiples thereof - at checkouts in 196 BC Liquor Stores province wide.
“This is a tremendously stressful and difficult time for those impacted by the wildfires in the southern interior. Recovering from a disaster is usually a long and expensive journey, so we are very thankful for the support of the BC Liquor Distribution Branch and all its stores and customers who help their neighbours when they’re hit by a disaster,“ commented Kimberley Nemrava, Red Cross provincial director for B.C. and Yukon.
BC Liquor Stores customers and employees have supported Red Cross disaster relief for humanitarian crises at home and abroad since 2003, when stores first collected donations to support victims affected by catastrophic wildfires raging that summer in the province, in cluding right here in the Louis Creek and Barriere area.
Coralee Oakes, Minister Responsible for Liquor says, “Our thoughts are with our neighbours in Rock Creek and Oliver who are being devastated by these fires. Families have been separated and many people are seeing their hard-earned homes and businesses destroyed. I applaud the Red Cross, BC Liquor Stores and our fellow British Columbians for coming together to make sure the people impacted by these fires have the support they need to navigate this tragedy and rebuild their lives.”
An unusually warm summer has left B.C. forests extremely dry, and officials are concerned there is potential for more aggressive wildfire activity in these communities and others throughout the province.
As of Aug. 16, 2015, the province had battled more than 1,600 wildfires this year.