United Steelworkers donates $41,000 to wildfire relief efforts

Aug 23, 2017 | 11:48 AM

KAMLOOPS — Numerous fires continue to rage on across the province, however, many evacuees have been able to return to their homes. 

The United Steelworkers is helping people get back on their feet by donating $41,000 to the United Way. 

The money comes from the union’s Humanity Fund, and was presented to the Thompson Nicola Cariboo chapter of the United Way this morning, Aug 23.

Danalee Baker, executive director of the United Way Thompson Nicola Cariboo, said the money will be dispersed to communities affected by the wildfires. 

“We’re really going to be focusing on needs that come up in each community,” Baker said, “such as cleanup, mental health, and trauma, all that anxiety and fear that comes from the wildfires. Also just making sure that people are also getting out and resuming their normal activities, their social activities, the services that they would normally attend, and so making sure there’s a social safety net.

“We’re also taking a bird’s eye view to make sure there’s no gaps and we’re taking care of everything.”

The Steelworkers’ generosity won’t end with the donation to the United Way. Marty Gibbons, president of Local 1-417, says the union has also made a large donation to the Red Cross and is working to raise more money for wildfire affected communities. 

“So, two cheques,” Gibbons said. “$41,000 to the United Way, and I believe probably close to the same amount to the Red Cross, all earmarked for the fire relief. In addition to that we’re doing some stuff locally too. We’ve set up some funds to help our local members, and this Saturday we’re going to be doing a barbecue out at Clinton, working with the city of Clinton to welcome back the community and sort of say, ‘thank you’. 

“We’re going to be buying and flipping some burgers, and collecting donations. Any donations we collect are going to go towards the rebuilding of the Loon Lake Fire Hall.”