Donations needed for influx of families displaced by wildfires
Multiple charitable organizations in Calgary are urging residents to help with increasing demand for basic goods as the region sees more women and families in need displaced by wildfires raging in British Columbia's interior and Northwest Territories.
Calgary’s Women in Need Society (WINS) is looking for donations of goods, items like clothing, hygiene products and items for children.
WINS is also seeking cash donations, or volunteers to come forward.
United Way of Calgary and area is partnering with the organization in this cause.
"I'm hoping Calgarians rise to the occasion they can donate at any WINS store or at our donation centre, which is very handy (because) you don't have to take it to the hotels. They aren't equipped to take this product," said Karen Ramchuk, president and CEO of WINS.
WINS is also supporting the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) because of the established distribution network.
"Donate cash if you can, donate product if you can, shop our stores, knowing the thrift store you are supporting where your dollars are going, then volunteer your time," added Ramchuk.
ANYTHING HELPS
An estimated 68 per cent of the population of the Northwest Territories is under an evacuation order due to multiple wildfires, with a large proportion headed to Alberta.
The City of Calgary estimates more than 2,700 N.W.T evacuees are in Calgary, staying in 48 different hotels.
"I guess this is where we going to be for a while. They're saying two weeks but we don't know, "said Robert Sterritt, an evacuee from Yelloknife.
He says he left home on short notice, with just a small bag of belongings.
"Any donations will help. Clothes. Toiletries. Anything."
Links to help:
- Donate funds: Monetary donations can be made both in person at any WINS store location and online through the donate funds page;
- Donate goods: Product donations can be dropped off at the donation centre or at any of the six WINS stores located across the city;
- Shop at WINS: When you shop at WINS thrift stores, proceeds fund community programs; and
- Volunteer: To learn more, please visit the volunteer page.
For more information, visit www.winsyyc.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PWHL Minnesota defeats Boston to win inaugural Walter Cup
Minnesota won the inaugural championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Wednesday night, getting 17 saves from Nicole Hensley to beat Boston 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 5 and claim the Walter Cup.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
Oilers rally to beat Stars, tie Western Conference Final
With the Edmonton Oilers down two goals late in the first period of Game 4, Rogers Place was quiet, fans seemingly bewildered at the early, quick scoring of the Dallas Stars and the slow start by the home team. Ryan McLeod's marker with six-and-a-half minutes in the opening frame left changed all that.
McDonald's says $18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
'Targeted again': Montreal police investigate after gunshot fired at Jewish school
Police are investigating another building in Montreal's community was struck by gunfire.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.