The Sandspit and Queen Charlotte Visitor Information Centres are coordinating an island-wide relief effort to raise money for fire victims in the interior.
The money will go to the BC Red Cross and the BC SPCA.
"If it ever happened to us, we would want people to help," says Lynn Scott of the Sandspit VIC. Many people have vacationed in the interior, and enjoyed the fruits and vegetables from the area, and now it's time to help the people of the Okanagan in their hour of need, she says.
Money raised for the Red Cross will help fire victims and fire fighters throughout the region. Cheques should be made out to the BC Red Cross Forest Fire Response Fund.
The fires have displaced animals as well as people. The Kelowna SPCA is trying to care for 1,600 animals separated from their owners. Cheques can be made out to the BC SPCA.
If you donate cash to either agency, and want a tax receipt, then include your name and address with the donation.
At this time, both the Red Cross and the SPCA ask for money donations only, because they have no warehouse to store anything, and they haven't had time to assess what is really needed.
Cheques can be sent c/o the VIC's, Box 277 in Sandspit and Box 819 in Queen Charlotte.