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Donations needed by Friday
Yellowknife pitches in for flood relief by Cheryl Leschasin
FACT FILE Bring donations of clothing, towels and blankets in a box that is clearly marked with the following address:
Salvation Army NNSL (May 07/97) - At least 24,000 people in Manitoba were evacuated from their homes in preparation for the flooding of the Red River last week. About 10,000 have had to rely on evacuation shelters in surrounding communities for shelter after the flood ravaged their homes and possessions. Now, after the flood, residents are left to wade through muddy messes that once represented homes. Across Canada, organizations are banding together to provide disaster relief to Manitobans, including donations of cash, clothing, blankets, and food. Here in Yellowknife, Tom Eagle of the Tree of Peace has organized the local drive. "We would ask the individuals as well as local businesses to become involved," said Eagle. The Tree of Peace has an arrangement with the Toronto Dominion and Royal banks to start a Manitoba flood relief account. By donating at these two banks, the total amount of donations coming from Yellowknife can be tallied. Boxed and addressed clothing, towels and blankets can be brought to the Tree of Peace, located on 51st Street across from Canadian Tire. Donations will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily until Friday. Although it's best to bring in the donations boxed, you can also use bags. Local transportation companies will bring the goods to NWT Air after the donation period is over. NWT Air has volunteered to ship the goods to Winnipeg free of charge. On Monday Mayor Dave Lovell announced the city is giving Manitoba $10,000 to help deal with the crisis. The NWT Chamber of Commerce is handling the northern end of a Canadian Chamber of Commerce fundraising drive. Meanwhile, Yellowknife interior designer Catherine Reilly is spearheading a meeting at Northern United Place this Thursday at 7 p.m. to organize a Manitoba-style social event to raise money for flood relief. Reilly says liquor laws are different in Manitoba and anybody can rent a hall or church basement and sell tickets to the general public for a fundraiser. With liquor laws being the way they are in the NWT, the Manitoba-style fundraiser can't take place unless a licensed establishment takes it on, which Reilly hopes will happen. |