The Squamish community overwhelmingly responded to the call for donations to help the families displaced by the fire that destroyed an eight-unit townhouse complex on December 13 in Garibaldi Estates.
The Fire Fund set up at Squamish Savings Credit Union has raised $18,000 so far and will be distributed to those displaced families in need in time for Christmas. Money will continue to be accepted at Squamish Savings Credit Union until January 15, 2010.
“The support has been amazing,” said Jim Lang, Squamish Emergency
Program Coordinator. “There are so many people, businesses and
communities to thank that have been so generous in giving time, money,
and goods,” continued Lang. “Coming together like this just shows what
an amazing community we live in.”
The District’s Emergency Social Service program provided support
services to the families and part of helping with their short-term
needs was setting up a program with the help from “Project Love” that
matches the needs of the displaced families and the donations from the
community. Donations have been pouring in and the families have begun
to rebuild their lives.
The community can still help with donations by:
1. Donating items using the form available at www.squamish.ca until December 31, 2009.
Donors then select the item(s) to be donated in the check boxes provided.
Donors package the items and label the package identifying the receiving family.
Donations can be dropped off at The Project Love Centre at 38054 Second
Avenue daily from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Project Love will be closed December 24, 25 and 26 reopening December 27.
2. Monetary Donations can be made to the Squamish Savings Credit
Union Fire Fund account (branch 81, account #331918). Cash donations
will be accepted until January 15, 2010.
3. Gift card donations from local businesses can be dropped off at the Municipal Hall
Reception located at 37955 Second Avenue until January 15, 2010.
The Squamish Emergency Program (S.E.P.) is a volunteer community-based
Search and Rescue (S.A.R.), Emergency Social Services (E.S.S.) and
Communications (COMMS) team. Its members are from all walks of life but
share a common interest in providing an important life-saving service
to the public, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Emergency Social
Services is an emergency response program made up of individuals who
share a common goal of assisting people in an emergency.
For more information please contact:
Squamish Emergency Coordinator Jim Lang at: 604.815.5060
Project Love Coordinator Brent at: 604.815.7934
