Press Release Sikh AID
Alberta Fires: How Can You Help!
| As the devastating Alberta fire that was detected on May 1st begins to slow in growth, UNITED SIKHS as well as other organizations, continue to bravely hasten their services for the thousands of residents who were affected. Families’ lives have been severely impacted and many only have the clothes on their backs. There is an urgent request for blankets, pillows, towels, hygiene kits and clothings of all kinds. | |
| The fire spread rapidly and consumed everything in its wide path. Nearly 2,400 homes and buildings were destroyed and more than 80,000 residents were mandatorily ordered to evacuate by May 3rd. The impact was tremendous as many families had multiple urgent needs, resources were scarce and a call to action was issued by the federal and provincial government. | |
| In response UNITED SIKHS volunteers, Gurpreet Kaur and Harmon Singh, are working with Edmonton Emergency Relief Services (EERS) in handling the logistical issues for the displaced families and recruiting local volunteers to assist them in the effort. In addition, UNITED SIKHS has setup a container to collect emergency supplies at Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara – 14211 133 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5L 4W3, Canada. | |
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| Trailer setup at Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara | |
| UNITED SIKHS’ volunteers helping out at Kingsway Mall |
| Supervisor, Dalia Abdellatif, at the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services (EERS) said, “We have an urgent need for towels, blankets, pillows and clothing of all types and for all ages, blankets and pillows for the displaced people”. |
| We request donors to drop off any supplies at our 53 ft container at Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara. Volunteers will also be needed to sort out in-kind donations and also to establish contact with fast food vendors to provide drop-offs as scheduled at the donation sites. Keeping track of food drop-off times and destinations is extremely imperative at this time, as the Edmonton Food Bank is also beginning to run short on their supply. As more families arrive into their centers, the volunteers continue to provide the necessary assistance to them. Basic supplies are beginning to diminish quickly. Nearly 14,000 people have already been helped since the beginning of the evacuations, and the hope is that the number will diminish as the Alberta government continues to hand out prepaid debit cards. |
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| UNITED SIKHS’ volunteers at the donation centers. |
| We thank Stephen Singh from Bolton, the Sangat and Committee of Gurdwara Shaheedgarh Sahib Hamilton for helping us raise emergency funds for this relief effort. Please join us to help the people who have been affected in the Alberta wildfires. We are only able to engage in such efforts because of the unrelenting assistance provided by our supporters, donors and volunteers. It is because of you that we are able to do so much. |
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
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| Time is of the essence. The time is now to make a substantive impact. The time is now to provide sustenance. The time is now to walk the path of seva (selfless service) |
