A Richmond charity is hoping to lift the spirits of the victims of last month’s unprecedented flooding in B.C.
The Richmond branch of Mamas for Mamas – which provides support to mothers in crisis – is working with the United Way to fill Christmas hampers for those in need.
The charity is collecting gift cards, diapers and wipes, new clothing, shoes, warm socks, hats and gloves, self-care items such as shampoo, soaps and candles, non-perishable foods that have not expired and brand new unused, unwrapped toys.
The hampers are part of United Way’s United for BC Flood Response, which has raised more than $2 million for flood victims.
Donations are being accepted at the Mamas for Mamas office at 123 – 11121 Horseshoe Way, near Steveston Highway in Ironwood.
While the hampers are for Christmas, there’s no deadline for when donations need to be received, according to United Way. Rather, Mamas for Mamas will be collecting donations on an ongoing basis – some families will be receiving late Christmas hampers in January to due location.
Mamas for Mamas can be contacted over the holidays at [email protected] or [email protected].
Meanwhile, the United Way United for BC Flood Response Fund is continuing to accept donations, which can be made at http://donate.uwbc.ca/flood.
Through United Way’s flood response, Mamas for Mamas has also helped families in crisis navigate resources and access emotional support. The charity has also provided gift cards for groceries and stores near hotels.
“So many families faced their worst nightmare in this last month,” said Celena Arthur, director of community engagement and funding development with Mamas for Mamas.
“We helped a single dad and his 13-year-old after being helicoptered out from their community that was between two mud slides, a mother and her two teenage sons who were evacuated from their basement suite, and a mom of two small boys who didn’t have a vehicle and whose husband can’t get to work due to floods.”
“We are thankful to United Way for establishing the United for BC Flood Response Fund because it’s giving us hope for the future – it’s also giving up hope that we can do some celebrating during the holidays despite being overwhelmed by devastation. This is what community is all about.”
Through a partnership with SPUD and the Chilliwack Bowls of Hope Society, United Way has provided 1,000 pounds of food to Seabird Island First Nation in Agassiz, the Agassiz Food Bank and Yarrow flood victims, with more to come.
Over 70,000 tampons, pads and other menstrual products have been delivered to communities severely impacted by the floods, including evacuation centres in the Fraser Valley, Agassiz, Hope and Merritt.
