How British Columbians are helping Fort McMurray residents

Across the province, people are reaching out to Fort McMurray residents affected by the fire; raising funds and collecting donations to send to evacuees.

Ludovic Siouffa spent the weekend packing dozens of boxes of donated clothing, food and toiletries, which will be shipped to an emergency relief warehouse in Edmonton.

“Knowing that it will go to people on the ground, to help out with the day-to-day recovery efforts, I think that’s cool, and it gives people a connection to what’s happening over there,” Siouffa says.

READ MORE: 150 BC RCMP officers heading to Fort McMurray

Volunteers with the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society welcome the donations and say they are desperately in need of new clothing, particularly for men, as well as baby formula and under-garments.

British Columbians are also raising cash to send to evacuees. In Tsawwassen, a group of children set-up a stand selling popcorn, cookies and lemonade. They raised nearly $700.00 for the Red Cross in two hours.

“We want to help people get all their stuff back that they need,” says Kylie Massender.

So far, Canadians have donated more than $90,000,000 to the Canadian Red Cross for Fort McMurray relief efforts. It is the largest outpouring following a domestic disaster in the organization’s history.

READ MORE: How other provinces are offering to help displaced Fort McMurray residents

Naomi Armstrong with the Canadian Red Cross, says financial contributions allow evacuees to buy what they need most.

“Whether they need it to buy a carseat for their child, or food or clothing, it allows them to make decisions based on their own needs.”

The Canadian government will continue to match donations until the end of May.