Prince George has brought volunteerism to an all-time high. It all goes to prove the fact that when there is a crisis, the citizens of this community immediately jump in with both feet.
Let's talk about the outstanding work done by the volunteers who manned the 24-hour Emergency Reception Centre at CNC. I know one gal who worked at her day job for the city and at night covered the desk at CNC. Not once, as with the many other volunteers, did she ever complain. Putting the cots together and setting up for the evacuees was no easy task, but for the volunteers in P.G. it seemed like a piece of cake.
Many musicians made time to entertain at CNC, BBQ and fun days at Lheidi T'enneh Memorial Park, as well as The Exploration Place and the Central B.C. Railway and Forestry Museum.
Lodgings, restaurants and merchants offered discounts. Recreation facilities welcomed folks. Many folks opened their homes to evacuees they never met. Campgrounds came through big time.
Fort McMurray folks understood all too well what was happening and in no time were here with supplies and other assistance.
Animals play such an important role in people's lives. They too, were not forgotten. Chelsea Wallach and the Prince George Horse Society, situated at the Agriplex at Exhibition Park, jumped in from day one, setting up over 100 stalls in addition to what they already had. Wallach parked herself with her trailer and has been there four weeks along with her dedicated staff and volunteers. They took care of over 250 horses and livestock of all kinds. At the writing of this column, 120 horses along with four goats and some chickens remain.
With smoke still in some areas, folks are doing what is best for their animals, even if it means leaving them here a bit longer. Many opened their own private barns and pastures for those creatures in need.
Angela McLaren, executive director of the PG Humane Society, also jumped in immediately, offering sanctuary to over 145 pets over a 24-day period with just nine remaining to go home with their families. McLaren and her amazing volunteers housed the critters at Peden Hill school, which was open 24 hours a day.
Mayor Hall did an outstanding job as he always does. He rallied the troops and put the welcome mat out in full force. Iit took five years to prepare for over 10,000 people to attend the Canada Winter Games yet it only took less than five days to welcome over 10,000 evacuees to Prince George.
Todd Doherty, too, was not the least bit afraid to roll up his sleeves. It was particularly rough for him as he comes from Williams Lake and still has family there.
It was nice to see Premier Hogan and Prime Minister Trudeau visiting many of the burned areas, including Williams Lake. I am disappointed that as close as Trudeau was to us, he did not stop here to meet our outstanding people. As for Andrew Scheer, I still do not now why he made his presence known. It must be an opposition kind'a thing.
I am so happy that most have been able to return home. There are still about 70 evacuees in P.G. due to health issues which affect their breathing. Some are at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre as well as camping in tents and RV's.
This whole experience should be another wake-up call. Kelowna in 2003. Fort McMurray in 2016, and now the belly of British Columbia relying on Hwy 97.
Looking out my window, we are surrounded by trees. We need to make individual efforts to have our own evacuation plan. It can happen here. Put those important papers and items in a safe place or digitize them. Grab the physical goods you need, pack your pets and run.
Fortunately, we do have four escape routes. So where will we go that will hold over 80,000? Fort McMurray had Edmonton. What do we have?
I am very proud of Prince George. Am I surprised by the outpouring of helping hands? Not one bit! This is the Canadian way. Hopefully many of the evacuees will return to visit. We will leave the lights on.
