How people in Kamloops are trying to make life a little easier for wildfire evacuees | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kamloops News

How people in Kamloops are trying to make life a little easier for wildfire evacuees

Christy Danielson says in her Facebook post that people have donated money to help Jamie Leighton and his crew stock up on supplies to cook meals for evacuees.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Christy Danielson

KAMLOOPS - The organizers of a local comedy festival, a grocery store, a Lower Mainland griller and the people behind Kamloops Music in the Park have one thing in common – helping out the wildfire evacuees in the city.

While evacuees from across the Interior wait in anticipation to see what happens in their communities, the Kamloops Komedy Festival is hoping to give them a laugh for one night.

Organizer of the festival and comedian Leland Klassen says evacuees can bring their identification to the Sagebrush Theatre on one night of the comedy festival, beginning tomorrow, July 13. For Kamloops residents attending the show, a portion of the ticket sales will go to the local Salvation Army to help them continue in assisting displaced residents.

Organizers of Music in the Park are also looking to do their part. The Kamloops Food Bank will be at Riverside Park tonight to collect donations of hygiene products such as new toothbrushes and face wipes. Evacuees can also show their identification and receive a voucher for a free food truck meal.

Jamie Leighton, who owns Lower Mainland company Porkmafia.ca, is at the Tk'emlups Powwow grounds this week cooking up the 700 pounds of donated meat for evacuees. He'll be holding a lunch there today, July 12, followed by a dinner of chicken and roast beef. He'll also be serving dinner and lunch tomorrow.

"The good people of the (Tk'emlups) band... these people didn’t ask any questions, they’ve opened their doors," Leighton says. 

Whether you're a firefighter, evacuee or volunteer, Leighton wants to see you come down to the Powwow grounds and grab a bite to eat. He wanted to help these people the same way he was able to help people affected by the Fort McMurray fire last year.

"They deserve it, I'm just trying to make their day a little better," Leighton says. "That’s what you’ve got to do."

There is also space for RVs, tents or trailers at the Powwow grounds, along with access to water, washrooms, showers and animals have been temporarily housed there.

The North Shore Business Improvement Association also says Cain's Your Independent Grocer and Loblaws have been giving to the cause by donating more than 30 skids of goods for wildfire evacuees.

If you know any other people, businesses or events stepping up to the plate, please add them to the comment section below.

– This story was updated at 1:03 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, 2017 to add more information on the available resources at the Powwow grounds.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Ashley Legassic or call 250-319-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2017
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