Andrea Inwards, Rotarian and past Assistant Governor in Merritt is leading a joint effort by our District and our friends in District 5040. Below is her message of early July.
"As you aware, the village of Lytton was devastated by wildfire earlier this week, leaving many people homeless and taking refuge in nearby cities. Though Lytton is not in District 5060, the evacuees are being housed in District 5060 club towns....(read more below) ...
Recent news story in media
Sue Sterling-Bur, Merritt Sunrise Past President, and overall awesome person, has been working with the provincial Emergency Operations Centre tirelessly as part of a team to ensure the evacuees and their pets and livestock, are housed, fed, and clothed during this stressful time. Sue has reached out for help from her Rotary family. Sue has informed us that the communities have been phenomenal in physical donations and they are good at the moment and that her group is working on updating the list of needs.
To address the short-term immediate needs NOT covered by these amazing donations, we are requesting donations for the purchase of gift cards be made to the Aurora Rotary Club of Kamloops via e-transfer. Leading a small group of awesome volunteers, I will then purchase gift cards and work with Sue, using the infrastructure in place, to see that they get to the people that need them. It is our vision that these donations will enable the evacuees to buy some new clothes or necessities and afford them some dignity. As a Rotarian, I know we all want to help.
This is a joint initiative with District 5040, where Lytton is located, and lead by Past District Governor Bob Blacker and District Governor Nominee Shirley-Pat Chamberlain on the District 5040 side. They will also be collecting donations from their clubs and members for the purchase of gift cards for the evacuees.
If you are a club president reading this, please consider this an official request to your club executive for a donation from your club to support this cause.
Donations can be made by clubs or individuals to aurorarotarymembership@gmail.com
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions. 250-315-8026