By Jason Small
The Red Cross blanket hanging on the wall of Jason Grant’s new home is a reminder of the help he received when a fire forced him out of his previous home.
In May 2016, a fire damaged his central Winnipeg apartment building and he was forced to leave his home. “Basically, I had nowhere to stay,” said Grant.
After initially staying at a shelter, Grant was told by an acquaintance about the Canadian Red Cross Personal Disaster Assistance program, which provides immediate help to people dealing with small disasters such as flooding damage and house fires. Upon learning about the program, Grant reached out to the Red Cross. “(The Red Cross) called me back right away,” he said.
Red Cross volunteer Chris Kepron helps out Winnipeg’s Jason Grant in May after Grant was left without a home due to an apartment fire. Grant holds the blanket he would later hang up in his new home as a reminder of the help provided by the Red Cross.
The Canadian Red Cross Winnipeg Personal Disaster Assistance team quickly dispatched volunteers to meet with Grant and get him the help he needed. Right away, the team put him up for a couple of days in a hotel, provided him with food and also gave him the blanket that continues to remind him of the helping hand. The volunteers also provided a gift certificate to get clothes and essentials from Walmart.
“It helped out a lot,” Grant said of the help the Red Cross volunteers provided. “That was great. I really appreciated it.”
The assistance allowed him to get back on his feet.
“It meant everything. It was a good morale booster for me to know there were people out there who care, as well organizations that care. It boosted me up and made me feel positive.”
Grant now has a new home in central Winnipeg, where the Red Cross blanket hangs proudly as a reminder of how he was helped when he had nowhere to go.
The Canadian Red Cross needs help so it can be prepared to help people deal with disasters. Canadians can help people like Jason Grant this October by making a donation at the till when they are at their local Walmart. The support goes a long way and helps thousands of Canadians.
Each year, Walmart stores across Canada dedicate several weeks to support the Red Cross in helping Canadians prepare for, as well as recover from, disaster. The funds raised at each store are used where they are needed most, providing assistance to those affected by a disaster.
Visit
www.redcross.ca/walmartcampaign or head to your local Walmart to donate today.