Advertisement

United Way raises $2 million for B.C. flood victims, launches new Christmas appeal

Click to play video: 'Tallying the cost of the B.C. floods'
Tallying the cost of the B.C. floods
The Insurance Bureau of Canada puts the preliminary cost of the B.C. floods at close to a half billion dollars, but the final tally is expected to be much higher. Director of Consumer and Industry Relations, Rob de Pruis, discusses the reasons why. – Dec 10, 2021

More than $2 million has been raised for the victims of November’s catastrophic flooding in B.C., and the local chapter of United Way has launched a new holiday appeal for more.

The non-profit is working with Mamas for Mamas, a B.C. charity that supports mothers and caregivers in crisis, to fill Christmas hampers for those still in need of assistance.

The organizations are collecting gift cards, diapers, new clothing and shoes, self-care items, toys and more as those families prepare for the holidays.

“So many families faced their worst nightmare in this last month,” said Celena Arthur, director of community engagement for Mamas for Mamas.

Story continues below advertisement

“We helped a single dad and his 13-year-old after being helicoptered out from their community that was between two mudslides, a mother and her two teenage sons who were evacuated from their basement suite, and a mom of two small boys who didn’t have a vehicle, and whose husband can’t get to work due to floods.”

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Donations can be dropped off at the Mamas for Mamas office in Richmond.

Click to play video: 'UBC engineers release report into November flooding disaster'
UBC engineers release report into November flooding disaster

Meanwhile, United Way is continuing to accept donations to the B.C. Flood Response Fund.

With help from SPUD online grocers and the Chilliwack Bowls of Hope Society, the organization has distributed 1,000 pounds of food to Seabird Island First Nation in Agassiz, the Agassiz Food Bank, and flood victims in Yarrow.

The $2 million has also helped deliver more than 70,000 menstrual products to severely-impacted communities, including Hope, Merritt and Agassiz.

Advertisement

Sponsored content

AdChoices