Fraser Valley donations for Lytton pour in after wildfire

HOPE (NEWS 1130) – People across the Fraser Valley have come to the aid of Lytton residents who were forced out of their community by last week’s devastating wildfire.

According to Shannon Jones, the executive director of AdvantageHOPE & Hope, Cascades & Canyons visitor centre, a group effort has managed to collect an overwhelming amount of donated items to help those displaced.

“We filled Tuckkwiowhum Village’s longhouse, as well as the Boston Bar Community Hall, and we currently have Tradex Centre pretty much taken over at this point,” she told NEWS 1130.

Efforts by several tourism groups in the Fraser Valley to get much-needed help to the people of Lytton began after the Tuckkwiowhum Heritage Village/Boston Bar First Nation put out a call for help online.

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Jones says they knew exactly what to do.

“We came together as the Fraser Valley group, which includes Tourism Chilliwack, Harrison, Mission, Abbotsford/Tradex, and we came together and we put a plan together to help collect donations at our visitor centres,” she said.

The communities in the Fraser Valley have come together to support those who have been affected by the devastating Lytton Wildfire. Find out where and what to donate at the link.https://t.co/1KGDIcOnt5

— The Fraser Valley (@thefraservalley) July 1, 2021

The centres have been accepting a wide variety of items for evacuees. Online monetary donations are also accepted through the Lytton Relief Fund.

“We were looking for clothing, essentials, toothpaste, toothbrushes. We were looking for items for children. Sleeping bags and tents, donations for gift cards and cash,” Jones explained, adding donations have already raised more than $20,000, with the total expected to climb.

She says the groups are currently in the process of shipping the goods gathered so far, but notes people can still help if they’d like to.

The visitor centres listed below are accepting donations:

Tourism Abbotsford/Tradex
Tradex, 1190 Cornell Street, Abbotsford
July 2 – 5, 10-am – 5pm

Tourism Chilliwack
Visitor Centre, 44150 Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack
July 2 – 4, 8:30am – 4:30pm

Tourism Harrison – Currently accepting Cash Donations Only
Harrison Visitor Centre, 499 Hot Springs Road, Harrison Hot Springs
July 1 – 5, 9:30am – 5pm

Tourism Hope, Cascades & Canyons
Visitor Centre, 919 Water Avenue
July 1 – 8, 10am – 5pm

Tourism Langley – Cash Donations Only
Office, 220-5385 216th Street, Langley
July 2 & 5, 9am – 5pm

Tourism Mission
Visitor Centre, 34033 Lougheed Highway, Mission
July 1, 10am – 2pm

Goodwin Greenhouses organized by Rob Thiessen
Mobile Donation Centre (Outside of Fresh Co.), 27566 Fraser Highway, Aldergrove
July 1, 10am – 5pm

Agassiz-Harrison Museum – Currently accepting Cash Donations Only
7011 Pioneer Ave, Agassiz
July 1st – 8th, 10am – 4pm

The groups say any cash donations will be entrusted to the Boston Bar First Nations/Tuckkwiowhum Village. The money will then be distributed “to the proper locations and organizations.” If you’d like to make a donation via cheque, you’re asked to make them out to Boston Bar First Nation.