Dedicated Red Cross Volunteers Give Back to their Communities
Recovery from fires continues
(KELOWNA – July 29, 2009) Since the fires started on July18th, Canadian Red Cross volunteers and staff have been actively responding to this crisis. They remain hard at work helping those families affected by the fires in the Okanagan Valley.
“If the Red Cross was not here, I don’t know what I what I would do with myself,” says the West Kelowna resident who lost everything in the fires. “The Red Cross was open, friendly and quick to respond and meet my needs.”
Volunteers have played an integral role in the Red Cross response to the fires. The Canadian Red Cross has been working on behalf of the District of West Kelowna to conduct in-depth recovery needs assessments for those residents that have been affected by the fires. Trained Red Cross caseworkers are meeting with families and have been assigned files for ongoing follow-up which includes providing referrals to other organizations, guidance in situations where there may be gaps in assistance and advocacy to ensure that their basic needs are met.
“Red Cross expects to provide fire recovery assistance to many of the affected households in the weeks and months ahead,“ says John Richey, Operations Manager for the Canadian Red Cross in Southern Interior BC.“ Areas of key need include the replacement of household goods, extended lodging, basic home repairs as well as occupational needs.” Evacuees needing more information on recovery assistance can call the Red Cross Recovery Centre at 778-797-8802.
The work of the Canadian Red Cross would not be possible without generous donations from the public. Financial contributions are greatly appreciated as they provide the most flexible and efficient way of helping those in need. Donations of personal items or household goods, while well-intentioned, are not the best way to help.
The Canadian Red Cross has received support from its corporate partners to assists with the relief and recovery efforts in the wake of the fires. Walmart and RONA will continue to provide support and donations are currently being accepted at Save-On Foods and Coopers Foods locations and Walmart. Donations can also be made online at www.redcross.ca, by calling 1-800-418-1111, or at your local Red Cross office.
Assistance provided by Red Cross will not duplicate assistance provided through insurance, government or other agencies.
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For more information or an interview please contact:
Jilian Henderson
Communications Coordinator
250-859-3154
