Fraser Valley truck drivers load up with donations for Fort McMurray fire victims
Canadian Red Cross says cash is best to help those in need
Truckers in B.C.'s Fraser Valley are hauling essential items for the victims of the devastating wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alta.
"I phoned my boss and said, 'Hey, is it okay to have a tractor trailer do a run to Alberta with supplies?'" said Gord Van Laerhoven with Bulldog Transport, based in Chilliwack.
In just over 24 hours, four semi-trucks were filled with essential goods like diapers, water, toilet paper and pet food — as well as $25,000 cash.
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Local transport companies have donated the trucks, trailers and drivers.
"People have stepped up in droves to donate fuel and pay for any of the expenses to go," said Dustin Van Dokkumburg, who owns an eponymous transport company.
Donations were still coming in as the trucks were about to leave on Friday afternoon.
"Everywhere in the surrounding community, everyone's just come together," Van Laerhoven said.
The original plan was to truck the goods to Lac la Biche, but the donation centre there is full now. So the trucks will be headed to an air strip outside of Edmonton instead.
In Langley, a family-owned moving company is also heading to Alberta with supplies.
"It's pretty brutal, so everybody just feels they need to do something to help and we're here to provide that," said Kary Movers owner John Cousineau.
There's a group of people collecting donations for Fort McMurray at the old Target and they'll be there until 3pm today!!
—@SarahWiltshire7Red Cross urges cash donations
The Canadian Red Cross is urging those who want to help to make a cash donation, as gifts in kind can be more "cumbersome" to "operationalize."
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The federal and Alberta governments have been matching donations. As of Friday, $30 million had been raised.
Conrad Sauvé, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Red Cross, said some 14,000 families in need of assistance have registered with the relief agency.