01/20/2021
*** Lewis St Fire Fundraiser UPDATE ***
Today we are very relieved to announce that with the combined efforts of our local ESS resources, friends from Cowichan Housing Association, New Life Community Baptist Church, Duncan BC, Klean Detailz, and various other sponsors, temporary long term housing for the victims of the Lewis Street Fire was retained late last week for the next 90 days!!!!!
This effort was a great undertaking for our core of organizers and we all lobbied hard to find a solution that relieved the pressure on these victims. The next 90 days will allow those who lost their home to take a moment and breathe, find their footing and get working on finding appropriate permanent housing that meets their needs.
What does this mean for any donations?
With respect to donations we are putting an indefinite hold on all donations of clothing and furniture. So many of you have done something amazing, it is beyond words. Even today we are getting requests to drop off donations of clothing. It is unlike anything we have ever seen. That is an incredible statement of humanity. One that we as a community should all be proud of.
With respect to furniture, house fixtures and kitchen wear. As each client, finds their home, our furniture team (lead by Henry at New Life Community Baptist Church, Duncan BC) will determine the need and we will broadcast out a donation request at that time. We ask that you keep a hot eye right here on the Medix page for those updates, as well as our other team members from Klean Detailz and New Life Church.
What does this mean for financial donations?
Due to the success of our conversations for temp long term housing, we will be able to redirect funding to assisting with other immediate needs for each family / apartment renter. This will continue to include housing needs like, deposits on a new home, assistance with moving trucks ect, and other needs such as medical, unique needs and personal assistance. We will be closing the GoFundMe drive at the end of January, all proceeds from the fundraiser will be placed into trust and we will be working with the Cowichan Housing Association to disburse funds based on victim request. If you would like to donate please go to: gf.me/u/zd7iat
A personal note to everyone.
I know I have said this a lot, but I wanted to take a min and really thank all the amazing people that have done nothing but give with their whole heart.
When I moved to the Cowichan Valley 2 years ago, I wanted so much to NOT be here. I bought into the rhetoric and the misery of so many people, who did nothing but run their mouth about how bad the Valley is. In years prior to moving here, I had only had glimpses of the area based on when I was working here, and truthfully a glimpse does little to change the mind of anyone.
But on my first day I wandered through Walmart, exhausted, annoyed, with my hands full of last minute things I couldn't find. I was clearly struggling with my patience and just plainly functioning, and I could only imagine the 'bear with a tooth ache' mood I must have been publicly displaying. Suddenly an older woman came up to me, out of no where, put her hand on my shoulder and said 'Honey, take this. You look like you need it'. And proceeded to push a cart directly in front of me and without missing a beat, started to take things out of my arms and place them in the cart. Afterwards, I stammered to find a simple thank you, and as I stuttered it out (mainly out of shock and pure gratitude) she placed her hand on my back, rubbing my shoulder, looked at me and smiled. We spoke for a couple of minutes, the whole time not ever knowing her name or anything about her, but we spoke as if we had been friends for years. When she walked away, my angst for the day was washed away, and my opinion of coming to the Valley was starting to changed. That was 2 years ago.
Over the last 2 years my mood and my perspective of this Valley has been completely reversed. I have had the absolute joy of meeting such a diverse people and culture, experiencing the amazing strength of the local small businesses and its owners, and experiencing first hand the true beauty and history of this amazing Valley. But it was the moments over the last 19 days that this Valley and its people have really shown the best humanity has to offer. Meeting so many of you, coming in to donate, or to ask if they could help, or taking a quick minute to hear a story of how their local community packed an entire truck full of supplies. For people they have never met, to donate over 15,000 sqft of clothing, literally filled an entire church and 4 seacans FULL, and have raised over $30,000 in funds to help is simply mind blowing. This Valley, and its people are the truest definition of a caring community and the example that all communities around the world should strive to achieve.
Getting to know the Cowichan Valley and its residents has been such a pleasure for me, and I can whole heartedly tell anyone looking to know the Valley, that this is a true hidden gem of the island, and of Canada.
Thank you to each and every one of you who opened their heart and gave so much. You are all amazing.
Lyle