Prepare, prepare, prepare. We’ve heard it before, but who’s done anything about it? When disaster strikes, will you be ready? Here in British Columbia, we’re at risk for many types of disasters: earthquakes, flooding, forest fires, landslides. This week is Emergency Preparedness Week and the community of Kelowna in B.C.’s southern interior showed they know it’s important to be prepared. More than 100 people took part in the official announcement of the Building for Humanity campaign that aims to raise $3 million for the first, full-service Red Cross Support and Disaster Operations Centre in the Southern Interior.
Building for Humanity campaign chair, Anna Hunt-Binkley, launches the $3 million campaign to more than 100 supporters and announces we’ve already reached just over $1.5M.While the event was celebratory and included officially raising the Canadian Red Cross flag, cutting a delicious cake and tours of the state-of-the-art facility, the subject was serious. The Building for Humanity campaign will help Red Cross be disaster ready, double its volunteer base from 500 to 1,000, provide more education and training programs, and boost its inventory of health equipment.
There was another reason to celebrate: while the campaign runs ‘til Dec. 2013, community supporters showed how much being prepared means to them and have already helped Red Cross reach the halfway, or $1.5 million, mark! Many thanks to everyone for their generous support.
