An open letter to all people helping evacuees in Prince George:
I would like to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity and hard work in this time of crisis and need. Because of your diligence and perseverance, thousands of your fellow British Columbians have been given the relief of proper shelter, food and compassion in an otherwise desperate situation.
I would especially like to extend my appreciation to my alma mater, the College of New Caledonia, for their resourcefulness in this time of need. President Reiser and the college board with whom I served not too many months ago acted quickly to provide excellent facilities for the evacuees.
Also, the faculty and staff helping or training volunteers are the embodiment of the values every graduate is taught at CNC; to all of you I simply say, "well done and thank you."
In times of such disaster, it is right and just to put aside differences of opinion and acknowledge the good work that others are doing regardless of stripe. To my opponents of former years and their staff, I extend heartfelt thanks for their expertise and work in this area and throughout our current crisis; I am sorry for the added difficulty of administrative change, but I hope that the transition goes well despite the circumstances.
And to our brave firefighters battling the actual infernos that continue to threaten our homes and livelihoods - Godspeed and stay safe. Congratulations for your hard work might be the understatement of the year, perhaps even the sesquicentennial of our nation; your vocation during this time is to outflank a force of nature that has been mentioned in every legend up until the present day. I will pray for your success and safe return - thank you so very much.
Finally, I would like to state for the record that what has been done for the evacuees is a far greater testament to the potential of our communities than any of the pomp of our 150th celebrations.
There was a chap who once said "if it lasts but a thousand years, they will say this was their finest hour." Whatever challenges face us as a town, region, province, or country, in the course of this disaster we have seen the real meaning of Canada: compassion and resolve.
