Skip to content

Aiding forest fire evacuees

Kelowna Salvation Army volunteers headed for Cariboo
7650642_web1_170712-KCN_SalvationArmy_1
The Salvation Army volunteers bound for 100 Mile House today to assist with the forest fire evacuation centre relief efforts. -Image Credit: Contributed

The Central Okanagan’s Salvation Army team is sending four volunteers to help provide assistance and support for the Gustafsen Wildfire evacuation efforts.

The four headed to 100 Mile House this morning driving an emergency services truck and trailer.

“We never know exactly what we will be asked to do,” said Sonia Withers, community Salvation Army coordinator leading the team.

“We come prepared for anything. We can cook meals from the truck, distribute water to front line workers or set up shelter, tables and chairs for community members that need to take a rest.

“We also have no idea where we will be staying so we come with cots, bedding, our own snacks and assume we need to be independent.”

The Emergency Disaster Truck and Trailer is a fully equipped kitchen. The trailer has a generator, tents, tables, chairs and cases of water.

Once the team arrives in the Cariboo and receives their assignment, they will set up and begin working.

“We are ready to help,” added Patty Lou Bryant, communications coordinator for the Central Okanagan Salvation Army.

“In May, we were feeding the frontline workers that were sandbagging during the flood. Now we could be feeding the firefighters in 100 Mile House or bringing water to the reception centre for those being evacuated.

“We are are part of the entire B.C. community and living out our motto—Giving Hope Today.”