Flood relief for victims of southern Manitoba’s Red River disaster continues to pour in from across the country.
A group of unemployed fishermen from New Brunswick are going to Manitoba to help with the flood cleanup; a Montreal business is sending a truckload of cleaning products to the flood-ravaged region; a Calgary man who won $150,000 in the lottery is donating a fifth of his winnings to flood relief efforts in the area.
“People all across the country want to do something to help,” said Syd Reimer, with the Mennonite Disaster Service which is helping families with cleanup.
Close to $10 million has been raised across Canada for Manitoba flood relief, Reimer said.
“We’re overwhelmed by the generosity of Canadians.”
Red River valley cleanup efforts are now under way in Minnesota and North Dakota where flood waters have receded.
“We’ll start there and work our way north along the Red River,” Reimer said. Funds left over after the agency has completed its work in the Red River valley will be made available to help other victims of disasters across North America.
People who wish to volunteer for cleanup efforts can call 204-261-6381 or 1-888-240-5480. Donations can be mailed to MDS Flood Relief, 134 Plaza Dr., Winnipeg, Man., R3T 5K9. Cheques can be made to Mennonite Disaster Service and marked Red River floods.
Here’s a look at more flood relief efforts from across Canada:
- Cargill Limited and one of its joint venture companies, Saskferco Products Inc., donated $30,000 to the Red Cross’ flood relief efforts in southern Manitoba. Donations received by the Red Cross are used for flood relief and will provide assistance to victims throughout the province. To make a donation, call 1-888-662-3211 or in Winnipeg call 982-7330.
- Dairy Farmers of Canada, through the Canadian Dairy Commission, is donating 20,000 pounds of butter to flood victims. Manitoba Milk Producers, in co-operation with Beatrice Foods and Dairyland processors, is donating 80,000 litres of milk.
- Last week, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture urged provincial farmers to donate through the OFA to the Manitoba Farm Flood Relief Fund organized by Keystone Agricultural Producers. OFA president Tony Morris said the farm organization will ask the Ontario government to match farmer donations dollar for dollar.
- The Grain Services Union donated $11,000 to the Manitoba flood relief effort, divided equally between the Red Cross and United Way. Over 300 members of the union live and work in Manitoba.
- Manitoba businesses affected by flooding will be allowed extra time to submit retail sales tax to the provincial government this month, said finance minister Eric Stefanson.