Responding to Disasters in (or near) District 5080

British Columbia

Fernie Rotarian Rick Robins and his fellow volunteers are working in West Kelowna, cooking and serving the 300+ firefighters risking their lives to protect ours.

Here are a few ways you can support those who have lost so much during this devastating time.

Salvation Army - https://bit.ly/3OOHAkp

BC Wildfire Recovery Fund - https://bit.ly/44fCq6A

Canadian Red Cross - BC Fires Appeal - https://bit.ly/3P6YdsE

GoFundMe - Verified Central Hub - https://bit.ly/47JpGYL

Northwest Territories (Yellowknife) Fire Relief

A message from District Governor Brent Collingwood (D5370):
We have all heard the devastating news of the evacuations underway due to the wildfires in the Northwest Territories. Our hearts go out to displaced people having to be evacuated without any guarantee that their homes will survive the wildfires. If you wish to help, you can donate to
the United Way NWT Emergency Response Fund, https://nwt.unitedway.ca/2023-emergency- response/, through this Canada Helps link. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/90073?v2=true.

United States

Donations

Two large wildfires, the Gray Fire near Medical Lake and the Oregon Road Fire near Elk, have had a devastating impact on our neighbors in eastern Washington, causing loss of life and destruction to homes and businesses.

You can contribute to the disaster response in several ways:

Donations can be made to the Rotary District 5080 Charitable Fund, a 501(c)3 organization, via Facebook using this link: https://www.facebook.com/donate/1715025442280214/

You will receive a receipt from Facebook, and you can share the fundraiser on your own Facebook page.

Or via PayPal using this email address: [email protected]

A 3 percent fee charged by PayPal will reduce the amount of your donation.

Donations can be made by check payable to the District 5080 Charitable Fund and mailed to 3833 E. Eloika Road, Deer Park, WA 99006-9127. Please indicate "Disaster Response" in the memo line of the check.

Donations of food, water, and equipment can be taken to Redemption Church, 400 E. Grace Street in Medical Lake. Please do not donate clothing.

 You can volunteer to assist the disaster relief committee in its on-the-ground clearance of debris and other tasks by contacting Rotarian Dan Crawford at [email protected] or 208-661-5253.

Please keep our fellow Rotarians and our neighbors in affected communities in your thoughts and plans. We realize the next disaster could be days away and affect any of our communities in eastern Washington, north Idaho, or southeastern British Columbia. Our future plans will include how best to respond to disasters throughout our district, and we hope to establish a dedicated page on the district website to serve as a clearinghouse for identifying and responding to needs.