Help still needed for families displaced by Feb. 24 fire

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The City of Williams Lake would like to encourage residents to continue to assist those who were displaced during the Williams Inn fire on Feb. 24.

These families are in desperate need to replace key household items, including: new/gently used beds, kitchen tables, kitchen chairs, sofas, kitchen household items such as microwaves/toasters/silverware/cups/plates/new dish towels and cloths, new bathroom essentials such as towels/washcloths, new bedding, etc.

Although some of these items were donated to these clients during the recent Cariboo Chilcotin Search and Rescue appeal to the community, assisting agencies still require these items for a number of people.

If you have any of the above named items that you are able to share, please bring them to the local Salvation Army Thrift store at 267 Borland Street in Williams Lake and indicate they are intended for the Fire Evacuees. The Salvation Army will give first access to each of these items to the 40 people impacted by the Fire. Any surplus items not taken by those impacted by the fire will be made available to regular Thrift Store clients.

“I want to recognize those agencies, businesses, volunteers, and individuals who have offered assistance following this tragedy,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “Their generous contributions of money, donations, and time have made a real difference for these families whose homes were destroyed in the fire. Once again, this community has come together to help those in need.”

Following is a list of those agencies and businesses:

• Overlander Hotel
• Sandman Inn
• Denny's Restaurant
• Valleyview Motel
• Williams Inn
• Walmart
• Cariboo Chilcotin Search and Rescue
• Red Cross
• Salvation Army
• Ministry of Social Development
• Williams Lake Fire Department
• Williams Lake Emergency Support Services
• Canadian Mental Health Association outreach workers
BC Housing
• The many individuals and volunteers who have donated time, money, clothing, household items, school supplies, other donations, and their time.

Evacuees have all found accommodation, and Emergency Support Services (ESS) has concluded its operations