Guest entry by Candace Lamb, Public Affairs in Saskatchewan
Last week, Red Crossers from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan got to witness the Power of Humanity in action. A severe thunderstorm had knocked out power throughout the city so many businesses were closed, including Walmart.
Unfortunately, three families had just been forced out of their homes because of personal disasters. Typically, such a disaster affects a single family and can be the result of a house fire, flooding or other. The Red Cross is able to provide food, shelter, clothing, and other essential items for up to 72 hours.
Red Cross staff went to Walmart and asked the store manager if there was any way that he could help get supplies for these people. The store manager very graciously figured out a way to make the paperwork pan out (as there was no power to operate the tills) and allowed the families to enter the store to get the supplies they needed.
Walmart staff assisted the three families in finding everything they needed, using lanterns and flashlights to navigate through the dark store. As Red Cross staff were thanking them, they thanked us back for ‘all that Red Cross does’.