Thousands of British Columbians living in the interior region have seen their own homes and those of their neighbours go up in flames, and tens of thousands more have been evacuated in some of the worst forest fires in the province's history.
The work of The Salvation Army, in conjunction with other agencies and the province's Emergency Social Services, has been to provide personal services to victims of the fire, and to "meet, greet and counsel" those who are now sheltering in arenas, schools and community centres. It is deployed in several locations in the central interior region, including Barriere, Louis Creek, Kamloops and Kelowna. In the southern suburbs of Kelowna about 250 homes have been destroyed at latest count (Monday, August 25 2003). The Salvation Army has four community response vehicles serving Kelowna, each providing over 1,000 meals a day to volunteers, firefighters, and those who have been evacuated from, or who have lost, their homes.
Public response to the disaster has been generous. On Saturday, August 23, the celebrated actor and entertainer Cher invited The Salvation Army to set up collection points at her concert in Vancouver, attended by 15,000 fans. Captain John Murray, PRD secretary for British Columbia, reports that with the help of staff and volunteers — including several from Vancouver's churches, the Army's Harbour Light and other centres — cash donations so far amount to more than $20,000. "I am absolutely overwhelmed," Murray said, "we set a target of $50,000, and with the help of Cher herself and what's left to be counted, we're well on our way to achieving it."
On Thursday, August 21, Colonels Glen and Eleanor Shepherd, Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries respectively, flew to British Columbia to see first-hand the extent of the Salvation Army relief work. They returned late Sunday evening, after visiting Kamloops, Barriere and Kelowna, where they witnessed the most damaging work of the fires so far.
The Salvation Army in British Columbia is grateful for all the support it has received, and wishes to recognise the exceptional generosity of businesses and the Canadian public in this disaster.
Stuart Cornie
Director of Communications
with reports from Captain John Murray
