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
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.