For people wanting to help those affected by the wildfires burning in British Columbia, the Red Cross says the best way is to pull out your wallet. More than 14,000 people have so far been evacuated from their homes in the central part of the province, and others have been warned to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Last year when the Fort McMurray fire evacuated thousands in a similar situation, both the province and country stepped up to help, along with individual communities. Many people from the Grande Prairie area donated money, time, clothes and shelter to those who needed it.
For those who want to help again, the Red Cross is urging people to donate.
“Really the best way that people can assist is through a financial donation. We have opened up an appeal, The B.C. Wildfires Appeal, and the best way people can help is to donate through that appeal,” says Shelly Makrugin, Communications Advisor with the Canadian Red Cross.
The money donated to the appeal will go directly to those affected.
“The financial appeal fund, that is for this specific disaster,” explains Makrugin. “It’s used for urgent, immediate needs and on for recovery and that can including providing funding down the road in recovery to different local agencies as well, through community grants and that sort of thing as they assist their local community.”
Money can be donated online, by phoning 1-800-418-1111 or by contacting the local Red Cross office.
Written by Angie Mellen, 106.1 The Goat