In case you haven’t noticed, there are wildfires in B.C. and new ones are springing up every day.
Just as horrific an experience as the 2016 Fort McMurray fire was for Albertans, more than 40,000 British Columbians have evacuated their homes to date.
These are people who have left everything behind, including, in some cases, their pets and farm animals.
Some members of our community have seen it as an opportunity to do what they perceive as the right thing and have gone out of their way to organize relief efforts.
As you will read on Page A12, Ryan Mul returned from a trip coordinated with Redwater Dodge from Prince George, B.C.
Mul brought a trailer in from out of town and collected non-perishable food items, water and hygiene products — all things the evacuees are in desperate need of.
He says that he is more than willing to make another trip if there are enough donated goods.
In a different way, Heather Kelm and her husband Roy have begun the process of organizing hay bale deliveries with the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association to assist ranchers who have lost access to feed, fencing and ranges.
The B.C. Cattlemen’s Association says in order to coordinate their efforts with the Kelms and others, the best way to get involved is to contact them through e-mail or telephone.
The editorial staff of the Barrhead Leader applauds these actions.
Instead of ignoring pleas for help, they have chosen to do something about it.
All of us who can do so should at least think about it.
We have witnessed the generosity of our neighbours, local businesses and municipal councils during other times of difficulty. We have seen how this entire country came together when the worst wildfire in history completely destroyed Fort McMurray.
This time, it is not Alberta that is in need but our western neighbours and our fellow Canadians.
Maybe today it is time to put aside our animosity towards the other provinces with regards to Equalization payments and do the Christian, Good Samaritan thing.
If our houses were burning, we would want someone to be there to help too right? Mul and the Kelms are good examples of people doing the right thing and we should all follow their example.
