Outpouring of donations for Kerr Apartment residents
By Nelson Daily Editor
By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily
The community is pulling together in the wake of the Kerr Apartments fire that left over 100 people homeless in the dead of winter.
Donations of clothing, toys and other items for people left homeless by the fire at the Kerr Apartments have been overwhelming, said Bill Macpherson, Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) spokesperson.
And it is because of that outpouring, said EOC director Joe Chirico, that they are asking people who wish to donate to hold off on physical goods donations at this time, and consider assisting residents through a financial donation only.
The sheer volume of donated goods is proving too much right now, he said.
“While all the agencies, service providers and the residents are extremely grateful for the care and generosity shown, the best way to help at this time is to contribute financially,” Chirico said in a press release.
There are two places where people can donate financially, said Chirico, including the Salvation Army (352-3488) and the Red Cross (354-4456).
Longer-term housing needs continue to be worked on by a number of involved agencies.
Looking to volunteer?
With so many people displaced from their homes and in need of help, Positive Apparel (as well as other thrift stores) have been accepting donations non stop for the victims since Thursday morning.
However, sorting and managing those donations is another story. Positive Apparel has put out the call for some help sorting and making these items available to the people that need them most.
“We need folks with strong backs to take in donations, others to sort and others to hang,” said Positive Apparel co-owner Sean Keely.
If you would like to come down and help, their hours are from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and Sunday from 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Positive Apparel is located at 721 Front St. in the old WIN Store location.
Operation: Kerr Aid
The Royal on Baker, Sunday, Jan. 9, 12 p.m.-7 p.m.
Created By Joel West and Paul Hinrichs, Operation: Kerr Aid is an all-day musical fundraiser to help displaced residents of the Kerr Apartments fire.
The cost to enter is by donation with all proceeds going to the over 100 people who were left homeless by the fire.
Details will continue to be updated as this is still coming together, but it will be happening. There are raffle prizes to be won.
Artists contributing to the cause to play on Sunday include:
The Man In Havana
Ty West and Katie Moran
Nelson from Nelson
Brian Rosen and The Whatnow
Ryan Tapp
Joel West
The Pine Years
Oxygen Orkestar
Jimmy Lewis
For those businesses looking to donate, contact Joel West at djjoelwest@gmail.com.
Comments