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, not only the province or the country came together but individual communities did as well. Many people from Lloydminster donated money, time, clothes and shelter to those who needed it.
“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. 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,” says Makrugin.
Money can be donated online, by phone at 1-800-418-1111 or by contacting the local Red Cross office.
